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

"Because those standing in the way of that brat are the real 'heroes'."

I couldn't help but widen my eyes, while Professor Leon, with a hint of pleasure, slowly recounted the long-forgotten past.

His tone, like that of a bard, evoked scenes I had never experienced.

"It was a complete mess back then. Those idiots of the male god were always causing trouble, and the things that the goddess's group of women said were even more incomprehensible. Ota, Finn, and I kept getting dragged into their antics time and time again."

What comes to mind is the image of Orario exploding everywhere.

Then came Otto, Mr. Finn, and the others, who were thrown into the air by the explosion and rolled to the ground.

No, well, this is a bit...

"I...I don't quite understand what you mean...?"

"Thinking about it, it makes sense. But it's true. No matter how angry I am, no matter how much I want to beat them up, in the end I'll only get killed. Those guys will just pick their noses and then stomp my anger and frustration to pieces."

I naturally put on a stiff expression, while Professor Leon opened his eyes.

He didn't seem angry about that past event at all.

Instead, it's as if they're reliving a precious memory through the flickering firelight.

"That's why I started constantly challenging those heroes, as if the persecution and ridicule I had suffered were no longer important."

"!"

"I cursed those bastards as I ranted and ravaged them, furious at their outrageous behavior, determined to teach them a lesson. I chased after their retreating figures... and eventually sneaked into the final battle against the sea tyrant."

The seemingly off-topic story, like an indispensable trajectory, traces a huge arc before returning to the main theme.

"There, I witnessed 'heroes'."

Everything points to that group of great 'heroes'.

"I finally understand the true meaning of the word 'hero.' Those guys who once annoyed me so much—their strength, their nobility, and their relentless struggle—everything about them is deeply etched into my mind and heart."

He said the scene was extremely terrifying.

He said he immediately regretted going with them.

Surrounded by a raging, dark sea that seemed to mark the end of the world, and before the unimaginable shadow of the ocean's overlord, he suddenly realized that the end was about to devour the lower realm, and plunged into an abyss of boundless despair.

However, he said there was a glimmer of hope there, a light that would eclipse all despair.

"I witnessed the 'light of heroes,' and it was that light that saved the world I hated."

Those were warriors who refused to yield to the roar of the ocean.

They are the poets who weave songs of hope and suppress the sounds of destruction.

It is the silhouette of a 'hero' that sang a funeral song for that vast, unfathomable dragon.

The flickering flames seemed to reflect the magnificent scenes of the distant past. After gazing at them for a long time, Teacher Leon slowly pulled his consciousness back to reality.

He looked at me, now that I was here.

"After being defeated by the 'Black Dragon,' the gods and goddesses fell in a blaze of glory. But the light etched deep in my heart... the 'afterglow' of the heroes, has never faded."

"Professor Leon..."

"I believe that we must bring that scene back to life. No, we must ignite a light that surpasses even that scene, a light that shines even brighter."

At this moment, this "witness to the times" clad in knight's armor asserted this.

The sky above remained dark and without light, with neither moon nor stars.

Only the fairy sanctuary created by the girl flowed with a dreamlike glow, like petals falling, with silvery-white light flakes dancing with sparks.

The camp, protected by the sanctuary, was tranquil and serene.

You can even clearly feel Professor Leon's inner thoughts and emotions.

"Whether in the past or present, I always hope that more 'heroes' will step forward."

That unwavering gaze pierced through me.

In those lion-golden eyes, it seemed as if they already regarded me as one of the 'heroes'.

"Do you know what the subject of this 'field survey' is?"

"...'Dragon Nest,' right?"

No. It's you.

"!!"

When I asked him a question, Professor Leon's answer was unexpected and left me speechless.

"After witnessing the truth of the world and facing the cold reality, how will you, as a 'hero candidate,' react, and what feelings will you hold? I want to observe closely and investigate thoroughly."

"Observing me...?"

"I apologize for speaking in such an arrogant tone. But everything I've said is from the heart."

I want to learn more about Bell Craney.

I am still trying, even though I am just an ordinary mortal.

Professor Leon revealed his true purpose without reservation.

Like a fair teacher, or a sincere knight.

More like a 'hero' yearning for new companions.

After their eyes met, Professor Leon solemnly declared.

"The 'Field Survey' will end tomorrow. Let's have a real 'adventure' then. Let me personally test your 'capacity'."

"The fourth round of the City Sports Festival, [Three-person team water battle]! The winner is Orario ————————!! That was such an easy win! She's so strong!!!!"

With Ibri's voice trembling with excitement, the declaration of a resounding victory echoed throughout the entire arena.

At noon on the final day of the "Urban Arena Festival," Orario's fervor reached its peak, even surpassing the grand occasion of the first day of the representative battle.

"After reaching Lv.6, you really are becoming more and more invincible."

"Just keeping up with your movements is already a huge challenge, honestly..."

"The fact that you can link up with me now is enough to prove that you are exceptionally outstanding. [Lijie], Andromeda."

"Even if it wasn't intentional, it sounds just like you're being sarcastic, you rigid little devil."

In the harbor waters that have turned into a battlefield, on the water where only a few small boats serve as footholds, the fairy Ryu, the Amazon warrior Aisha, and the human Asfi, dressed in white and wearing cloaks and hoods, are joking with each other.

In this magical clash, the battle turned out to be one-sided, with the school district teachers' camp in complete disarray, almost pitiful. Many spectators, after witnessing this overwhelming victory, were momentarily at a loss as to whether to cheer loudly, instead falling into a state of bewilderment.

"We won, right...?"

“Ah, um…”

"That's the Lv.6 rookie adventurer..."

"The word itself is strange enough, isn't it?"

"Who exactly is this visitor, Leon...?"

"Where do you find such a large newcomer as yourself?"

"This is practically cheating."

Just as the adventurers and gods were expressing their thoughts, the members of the Hestia Familia, the companions of this fairy who always went too far, couldn't help but shrink back and try to find a place to hide, even though they hadn't done anything wrong.

Despite their initial confusion, the adventurers quickly perked up and began discussing the "final highlight."

"The Lv.6 [Swift Wind] has already made its appearance..."

"Then, the final battle is—"

"Bell Craney!"

"Who else could it be but that brat?!"

Almost everyone called out the boy's name in unison.

"Big Brother Bell—!"

"Time to go on stage!!"

"Keep it up—..."

"Hurry up, stop dawdling!"

"Get your ass out here right now, you little brat!"

The orphanage children—Lay, Fina, and Xiaolu—who had rushed to the arena to watch the fight cheered for Bell, while the brutes began to jeer loudly.

It was mixed with insults.

There were also plenty of mocking comments.

But undeniably, everyone wore a knowing smile.

The one who brought the final battle to a close was none other than that arrogant and annoying white-haired boy, always covered in wounds, yet never stopping.

That "Hero's Egg" that Orario is so proud of.

"Ugh, this is incredibly boring..."

"Aren't you proud to be a master?"

"It's so noisy, that's all."

Amidst the deafening cheers, Allen, who had come solely for the final battle, clicked his tongue in displeasure. Alfred, meanwhile, jokingly asked Hedin a question, to which Hedin simply adjusted his glasses and answered without a trace of emotion.

"Even though I'm on Badr's 'pirate ship'... I really wish you could hear this cheer for yourself."

Hermes, sitting in the broadcasting seat, resting his chin on his hand and fiddling with his travel hat in the other, squinted his eyes.

"That's amazing..."

The goddess, barely managing to squeeze in a break from her part-time job, rushed breathlessly into the circular arena and murmured softly.

"You've become such an amazing adventurer... Bell-kun."

Faced with this overwhelming "support for the clan," Hestia smiled with considerable pride.

The cheers continued to rise.

Intense battles in war games, life-or-death struggles against the black bull (Minotaur), and fierce battles in factional wars. People long for the reenactment of these glorious events.

The entire city of Orario was calling out the name of a boy, a scene that made the students in the school district hold their breath.

That boy was none other than the world's fastest white rabbit, speeding along the "Hero's Road".

At first, I thought I was seeing things.

But the further north they went, the closer they got to that thing, the more their illusionary armor was stripped away.

A cold wind swept in.

A sharp, piercing whistling sound came from beside my ears.

The sand and dust whipped against our faces, warning all who came to leave immediately.

That being was so immense, it seemed to pierce the heavens.

""tornado"……?"

I let the wind toss my hair and murmured to myself in a daze.

That suffocating vortex seemed to shut everything out.

Its full extent is immeasurable. In the sharp, piercing roar of silence, the spiraling gale rises straight up and soars into the sky, piercing the dark sky like a sword and breaking through the oppressive black clouds.

This one thing alone is enough to symbolize everything.

It's almost like the Tower of Babel standing in the center of Orario.

What's truly terrifying is that even the divine tower of that labyrinthine city pales in comparison to this 'tornado'.

Even from a distance, one could determine that its radius was at least one kilometer. That was a vast area capable of engulfing an entire metropolis, or even an entire expanse of land. Even assuming its height was equal to the Tower of Babel, its imposing presence was far beyond the comprehension of humankind.

This was clearly not a creation of nature, yet it was also far beyond the reach of human craftsmanship. Standing beneath this extraordinary spectacle, which defied all reason, I experienced an unprecedented shock and awe throughout my entire journey.

"What...what exactly is that?"

"The 'Fairy Essence Storm' that has sealed the 'Black Dragon' to this day."