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

"…………the latter."

"I knew it~. Ryuta has such a big sister vibe, she really startled me."

Hill sat down beside her, gently hugged Liu, and soothed her tenderly like a child.

And Ryu, unusually, did not resist. She blushed and mumbled something as if she were making an excuse.

"During the factional war, I confessed my feelings to put an end to things, not because I hoped he would accept me. After all, I already knew his answer, and now that things have come to this, there's nothing to be sad about."

"Mmm~ Mmm."

"Besides, even though I said that to him, I'm not the kind of woman who can be summoned and dismissed at will. One day, I'll fall for another man and choose that person as my partner..."

"I know, I know. But if you ask me, Ryu will probably be like that goddess from a certain first love monster—once she falls in love, she'll never let go and will never forget her first love, right?"

"That was clearly you!!"

Hearing the street girl in front of her casually compare her to a certain first love monster, or rather, a goddess of beauty with incredibly heavy feelings of love (Lady Freya), Ryu's speech quickened for the first time, and she shouted with her eyes closed, "She's exactly the same as the main god (Hestia)!"

"That makes us teammates! After all, we were both dumped by Mr. Bell!"

"I...I haven't been explicitly rejected yet...!"

"Ah, Ryu, you're really strong-willed! But I understand! Whether you're male or female, getting dumped makes you invincible!"

"You're the goddess of love, you've never been dumped, have you? You make it sound so easy..."

"By the way, I'm going to chase after Mr. Bell even after he becomes a spirit, and I'll still go see him even after I'm reincarnated, so I have an advantage over Ryu!"

"Shut up!!"

This overly magnanimous friend even brought up this far too grandiose view of love, bordering on the absurdity of a legal stalker's obsession. Hearing this, Ryu couldn't stop her吐槽 (tu cao, a form of sarcastic commentary/criticism).

She broke free from Hill and brought her flushed face close to Hill's to remind her.

Hill just grinned foolishly.

She seemed very happy to be able to talk to her friend like this.

"...Does that mean staying by Lappy's side is harder than getting into the guild...!?"

"That's why I said..."

—At another corner, the half-elf sisters witnessed this conversation.

Nina, who was carrying her luggage, peeked out from the corner of the wall and then trembled all over. Seeing this, Eina couldn't help but sigh.

At the same time, I realized that my future was also uncertain.

What qualities are needed to serve as the leader of a [Family]?

I once asked Mr. Finn, the leader of the largest faction in the city (the Loki Familia), this question.

That happened after the commotion of "The Lilliputian's Proposal," when we happened to brush past each other on the street. "I was so grateful for your help back then," "Oh, not at all..." We exchanged a few casual pleasantries like that, and then, taking advantage of the greeting, I cautiously asked this question.

Actually, at that time, I was troubled by my position as the leader. 'Can someone like me really handle this?' 'Wouldn't Lily or Welf be better suited for it?' 'Are you sure it's okay?' I often thought about these things back then.

Faced with the fact that I was also a newcomer to the position of group leader, the great senior gave an answer without hesitation.

"Able to smooth out and improve complex interpersonal relationships."

I had expected him to say something like a calm mind or excellent leadership skills, but this was his answer. I remember breaking out in a cold sweat at the time.

According to Mr. Finn, it's perfectly normal for people living together to occasionally have negative feelings towards each other, and even minor frictions can hinder teamwork. However, once clear disputes and distrust arise, they become a more terrifying threat than monsters.

"The early detection and repair of the cracks can rely on the help of the main god when we're on the ground, but we can't do that once we enter the labyrinth. So I'll rely more on Riveria and the others, as well as Raul's eyes, to keep a close eye on the group members' movements."

Mr. Finn seems to believe that the true leader of the Familia is the Supreme God. He adds, 'In that sense, perhaps this is a power that God should possess,' and then...

"Especially be careful about relationship disputes, like who likes whom or who is flirting with whom."

He also said that... Well... maybe there's no need to say more about this.

This makes me wonder, in this sense, what exactly is the relationship between me and Miss Ryu in terms of the [Family]?

Although Ms. Ryu said things like "it's fine as it is"... I still couldn't help but feel that "I really don't deserve to be the leader." My heart sank to the bottom of the earth, as if I was about to be swallowed up, and I completely lost my confidence.

"Well, I'm currently being pursued too passionately by a certain member myself, so I don't really have the right to judge others... But, about you..."

However, I remember Mr. Finn also said something like that.

"Always leading from the front, guiding everyone with his silhouette. I think that kind of team leader is also quite good."

For me at that time.

Or perhaps, from my current perspective...

This sentence is like a lighthouse illuminating the darkness.

"Phew!!"

For this reason, the leader of the Hestia Familia stomped down with the force of shattering the ground and leaped into the sea of ​​monsters.

He weaved through the overwhelming roars and claws, transforming the "Dagger of God" and "White Illusion" into seven swift, flashing slashes. Thick scales and axe-like tails were cleaved apart, and the three-headed behemoth, the "Spiny Axe Dragon," let out a mournful howl.

"I'll follow Lord Bell!"

"Be careful! Those dinosaurs are incredibly strong!"

Miss Fate and Welf, enveloped in the glow of their level-up, followed closely behind me.

To minimize the burden on the two of us, I took the initiative to confront this group of new enemies unlike any I had ever faced before—the 'Dinosaur Species' monsters—and fought back with powerful, sweeping movements.

Current location: Floor 29.

Layer domain name: 'Dense Forest Canyon'.

After passing through the 27-story "Water City", what comes into view is a huge jungle-style maze.

The towering trees grow together so densely that they seem impenetrable, forming a solid wall. The forest on either side slopes down in a steep V-shape, as if cleaved by a knife, creating a clear path for passage. Thus, although this place is a 'dense forest,' it is also known as a 'canyon.'

Floors 29 through 32, like the "Water City," are presented in three or even four giant staircases. From the top of the entrance, one can see the bottom of the next floor in its entirety. Perhaps it is this magnificent scenery and unique terrain that gave it the name "Canyon."

We, the Hestia Familia, have set foot in a new 'lower' realm, overrun by powerful dinosaur species.

"Awoooo ...

"Hmm—!?"

"Don't fight them head-on! Even with level upgrades, you'll still get beaten to a pulp!"

Facing the onslaught of the three-headed monster "Armed Dragon," Miss Meteor attempted to deflect the attack with her longsword, but the immense force sent her staggering, her boots momentarily lifted off the ground. Despite losing her balance, she managed to land with difficulty. Meanwhile, Welf, who was dealing with enemies on the other side, shouted a warning to her.

Unlike the massive (powerful) "Armed Dragons," these "Shadow Velociraptors" are agile individuals, employing guerrilla tactics to gradually weaken their targets. Faced with their harassment, even Welf, who had been arguing with Lily about the use of the "Magic Sword," finally smiled and decisively drew the Magic Sword.

The scorching flames released by "Shigao·Huangyue" instantly burned the area to the left front of the team, along with the raider group, to ashes.

"I was thinking about this when I passed by here last time...! Anyone below level 2 can't survive here at all, and that's really true!"

Welf roared as he charged toward the next enemy, his tone carrying a hint of despair. I wholeheartedly agree.

During the previous "expedition", in order to rescue me and Ms. Ryu, the other members of the [Hestia Familia] all passed through this "dense forest canyon" on their way to the 37th floor.

Although Mr. Reed and his gang, the heretics, assisted with the escort... they must have witnessed the power of the dinosaurs firsthand. Before stepping into this place, the tension between Welf and them and mine was on a completely different level.

According to the dungeon information released by the guild.

Just as the first line of life and death starting from the 13th floor was clearly stated to be unconquerable at Lv.1, this "Dense Forest Canyon" was also asserted to be "absolutely unconquerable by party compositions below Lv.3".

The direct cause of this conclusion is the appearance of the 'dinosaur species' monsters in this layer.

"Gaa ...

"Goo ...

The out-of-tone roar transformed into a powerful sonic vibration that reverberated in the eardrums.

Their majestic posture and imposing presence are almost comparable to those of real dragons. The mere sound of their footsteps pounding the ground is enough to send chills down one's spine.

Aside from the floor master, these monsters are far larger and heavier than any race they have ever fought before, their sheer size alone amplifying the destructive power of their attacks. Even the strength of their muscles and bones is on a completely different level.

In addition, its body, covered in hard scales, can easily deflect half-hearted attacks.

The only saving grace is that magic works on them just as it has on their previous enemies.

Without the boost from leveling up, Welf and his group would likely be completely crushed. It's said that even Revis and Mr. Dolmu are struggling to make progress, having been stuck on conquering the 'Dense Forest Canyon' for quite some time.

The data preserved by the guild also confirms this.

In this realm, the most significant factor is not the retreat or defeat rate of experienced senior adventurer teams, but rather the total annihilation rate.

Unrelated to terrain effects or maze traps, what makes this floor so difficult to conquer is the overwhelming potential stats of the monsters.

Against such a pure race that excels in both offense and defense, all clever tricks are useless except for absolute ability stats.

It's so outrageous that it can't even be called 'clearing out monsters'.

It is simply pure power.

This is the 'Dinosaur Species,' a being on a completely different level from the monsters up to level 27.

“Drink!!”

"Gah--!?"

That's why I have to make a scene.

"Miss, please provide backup! The enemy is at two o'clock—"

"—A checkmate!! I understand!"

"Welf!"

"No need for further words! Burn everything that's above your head!"

We had a brief exchange while taking down a total of six enemies.

More than ever before, the coordination between the vanguards was faster, deeper, and more powerful. Feeling this perfect synergy, I was filled with joy, and at the same time, I transformed into a 'Shadow Shot' that left a trail of light.

Thrust.

An extremely low forward lean posture, like gliding close to the ground.

Taking advantage of the moment when the Shadow Velociraptors lost sight of me, I slashed through their bodies. In the instant I brushed past them, I also decapitated the Armored Dragon that tried to attack.

Without stopping, I continued my rapid, zigzagging charge, tearing the unruly enemy horde to shreds in an instant.

Explosions of gray powder erupted one after another. Immediately afterwards, a stream of flames from the "Demon Sword" swept over my head.

The swarm of 'Gale Wyverns' that tried to pounce on my head perished in the flames without even leaving behind any remains (dropped items).

"Lord Bell goes without saying, but Lord Welf and Lord Life are also... all three of them are incredibly powerful! Centered on Lord Bell, those terrifying dinosaurs vanished in the blink of an eye!"

"Sharing a 'vision'...! Under Bell's guidance, the avant-garde awareness of the others has clearly become stronger! The experience of the 'school district' has really come in handy!"

This time, based on Ms. Ryu's suggestion, the center-back position was tactically eliminated—she herself would serve as the full-time defender. As a result, Ms. Haruhime and Lily, who remained in the defender position, cheered for her.

"Lord Bell's battlefield vocabulary, or rather, his word choice and sentence structure, all seem to have improved along with his intelligence! It's just like what the gods say, 'It's great that his IQ has gone up!'"

"Lady Lily, that's a bit... "

I think I also overheard something hurtful, but I didn't hear anything!

"But without the Commander (Lily) to make an appearance, it feels quite empty..."

"That's not the case. Just as you predicted—the next wave is coming."

Immediately afterwards, something unusual happened at the team's seven o'clock position, behind the defenders.

Miss Liu immediately stepped forward to block Lily and the others. The next moment, a 'Poisonous Horned Dragon' broke through the wall of the dense forest and appeared.

"The enemies are strong! And there are so many of them! This floor is insane!"

"Welf, Miss Ming, please go and meet up with Lily and the others! I'll hold the line at the front!"

"I am extremely grateful, Lord Bell!"

Although entrusting the rear to Ms. Ryu would be a sure thing, it's better to let Welf and the others stabilize the defensive line and also provide support.

I warily watched the forest ahead—the new wave of shadow velociraptors that seemed to emerge silently from the shadows—while simultaneously confronting the still-relenting dinosaur herd head-on. Even in a corner of my mind, I calmly reviewed how I had ended up on this floor.

--The deadline for the mandatory task is fast approaching.

Just after Lily's annoyed complaint, the attack officially began.

This is the inescapable fate of the exploration-type Familia. Once a certain level is reached, the faction must embark on an "expedition" to contribute to the expansion of the dungeon. As usual, the Hestia Familia must also challenge deeper levels, surpassing the floors they reached when they formed the faction alliance with Miss Aisha and the others.

After experiencing the "school district" enrollment process, I now feel half "finally here" and half "I'm here now."