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

"The 67th floor!?"

Upon hearing this information, my eyes widened instantly.

Inhabiting the "Dragon Valley" are the ancient dragons that once invaded the surface from the labyrinth. Considering this, it is not surprising to find a monster with a title bearing the number '67'.

It's not surprising... but it's just too outrageous!

"Why, why would that monster...!?"

"We received information about 'Dragon's Snoring' ten days ago. It probably escaped from the distortion caused by the immortal essence 'Wind Seal'."

"...?"

Faced with a panicked Nina, Mr. Leon calmly explained the situation.

I couldn't help but look at that profile.

(It was confirmed ten days ago...? Could it be that Professor Leon already...)

Before my doubts could be resolved, the knight clad in silver armor had already begun to analyze the current situation with precision.

"It looks like the barrier around the 'school district' has been breached as well. Although it's still temporarily bound by the lightning net, once it breaks free, it will instantly attack this way."

"...!"

Just as Professor Leon said, the centipede struggled and rolled in the dark sea of ​​clouds, with lightning-like droplets of light scattering all around it. If you looked closely, you could indeed see that the dragon's wings were wrapped in an "extremely fine net of light".

When I first arrived here, the first thing I saw was those sparks of light... it turns out they were produced by the dragon struggling to break free of the barrier!

That's probably the special barrier the 'school district' set up to cover the entire 'Dragon Valley'. The 'Net of Light,' as its name suggests, instantly ensnares any dragon that bursts forth from the storm, and the more it struggles, the tighter it becomes. Even if it manages to break free, the net's threads will remain somewhere on its body, hindering its movement and buying precious time for Leon's expeditionary force to arrive… Truly a remarkable mechanism.

"What...what should we do?"

Upon hearing the warning of the approaching dragon, Nina desperately suppressed her voice, which was about to become shrill.

Now, all our attention is focused on one person—the knight who has been dealing with the "Dragon Visit Problem" until now and has the most experience in fighting dragons.

"The Urban Arena Festival is hereby suspended. We shall immediately commence the Dragon Extermination Operation."

This clear instruction was conveyed to both the city and the school district, who were observing the battle through the 'mirror' at this very moment.

Followed by.

Teacher Leon quietly turned around, his gaze falling on the greatsword of fire that was poised to strike—and on me.

"Bell, you take it down."

"!!"

"Smash that 'afterglow' hard onto that thing. You can do it now."

Its golden lion eyes stared straight at me, filled with trust.

I froze for a moment, while Professor Leon had already turned around and stepped forward.

"If our idols aren't making fun of us, then that centipede's estimated potential ability value is Lv.7."

"Varied!?"

"But you can rest assured. In my opinion... it's not as good as Udeus."

"But...but I never fought Udayus!?"

I couldn't help but let out a shameful scream, as if I had been struck on the head. But that figure striding forward seemed to have a mischievous smile about it, just like it had at some point in the past.

Coming to my senses, my previously tense body relaxed.

"I'll buy you some time."

Leaving behind this concise and unequivocal declaration, the knight resolutely rushed to the battlefield.

Almost simultaneously, the centipede broke free of the light net and swooped down towards us.

'Awoooo ...

The terrifying dragon's body writhed and coiled, approaching rapidly as if crawling across the sky.

Accompanying its high-speed flight was a dark purple laser beam.

Teacher Leon, wielding the Battle Axe of Light, easily dodged the first and second lasers aimed at him.

Immediately afterwards, the third laser beam came straight at us like a sneak attack—we were stunned in place because it happened so suddenly—just then, Teacher Leon quickly intervened and blocked it for us.

"Professor Leon!?"

As the dark purple explosion erupted, Nina and I cried out in grief.

however.

"Breakthrough of the 'Trial of the Third Sword' - Release of the 'Trial of the Fourth Sword (Philon)'".

The knight's cloak billowed gracefully in the wind, and a new weapon of light was born.

The light battle axe that was originally meant to perish together with the laser has now transformed into a 'great shield of light'.

The shield's shape is as broad and heavy as the belly of a giant's blade, clearly symbolizing absolute protection.

To appease Nina and me, who were both stunned, Mr. Leon smiled.

"This is the true nature of a human tank! Leave the vanguard and meat shield to me!"

With his ability stats rising again, Leon, charging forward with boundless energy, engaged in a thrilling battle of offense and defense with the dragon.

He went head-to-head with a monster whose estimated potential ability value was Lv.7, and he did not retreat an inch.

Without fear, he used his shield of light to block all the vicious laser beams, while simultaneously drawing out short blades of light from within the shield and throwing them out like javelins.

The centipede immediately sensed the power that was enough to pierce through its scales and violently twisted its body to evade it.

Annoyance flashed in the dragon's eyes as it fixed its gaze on Professor Leon alone.

The paradigm of drawing hatred onto oneself is practically a textbook example of a cutting-edge human shield!

"Ugh—!!"

Now is not the time to get engrossed in watching.

I raised my greatsword and began to gather my strength once more.

The bell tower's roar immediately resounded throughout the surrounding area.

Perhaps sensing the roar and the rising flames, the centipede inflated each segment of its body like a balloon.

Facing the direct confrontation with Teacher Leon, it remained vigilant. However, in the next moment, a jet-black miasma erupted from its entire body.

"Nina, activate the purification magic (Crystal Sanctuary)!"

“Eh!?”

"Dragons of level 5 and above in the 'Valley' will release [Pollution Miasma (Dragon Miasma)]! That's a dragon scale toxin that can seep into the body through wounds and severely weaken healing magic! Protect Bell!"

"...!! [The Lullaby of the Wind, the Cradle of Flowers]!"

Having heard Leon's warning and seeing the miasma surging in like a black tide, Nina immediately began chanting.

She rushed in front of me, raised her staff, and despite having almost no mental strength left, she never stopped weaving incantations.

This time, in order to truly protect me while I was still recovering, she resolutely unleashed the Domain of Light.

"【Laguler: Crystal Sanctuary】!"

This is the third time I have witnessed this "White Flower Domain".

The sweeping black miasma collided head-on with the field of light sprinkled with pure white petals.

Intense sparks erupted. The miasma, like the maw of a dragon, threatened to devour everything, yet ultimately failed to penetrate the fairy's sacred domain. But at the same time, Nina, who was casting a spell with her staff, gradually knelt down.

"Ugh...!?"

"Nina!"

"It's alright...! I'm fine, Lapi-kun!"

She called the wrong name. And this was proof that she was completely focused on maintaining the barrier, leaving her with almost no time to think.

Under the purification of the light field, the miasma gradually thinned. Looking into the depths through the fading black mist, we saw Professor Leon engaged in a breathtaking battle of attack and defense against the centipede. In the brief few seconds that our vision was obstructed, the terrain had been completely destroyed; the rocks, bathed in the miasma, shattered like fragile glass. The high platform collapsed in an instant, and apart from the spot beneath our feet, the rest of the terrain had long since lost its original meaning.

What a terrible sight. A scene as if the world had come to an end.

Whether it's me, the defender, Nina, who's in charge of support, or even Leon, the super-strong forward, if we let our guard down even slightly, the Grim Reaper's scythe will immediately take our lives.

This is the end of the North!

It wasn't a maze, but it felt like another world.

"There are several dragons of that level around here...!"

"Are there really countless enemies of that caliber deep within that storm...?"

It's unclear whether it's in a circular arena, a small arena, or somewhere in the city.

Someone murmured this in a low voice.

Looking up, the boundless black sea seen in the 'mirror' does not exist here. The beautiful blue sky is still vast and boundless, stretching for thousands of miles, but the world at this moment seems to be quietly being eroded.

The sight of three lone adventurers and knights fighting against a terrifying dragon left everyone speechless. Their heroic figures became an unforgettable scene for everyone.

"Have you noticed? I sincerely hope you have. Our time is running out."

Hermes touched the brim of his hat and looked around at the silent arena.

"Please feel it. Feel the end approaching from the north. We don't even have time to fight among ourselves."

At the top of the temple tower, Baldr looked down from the terrace at the trembling arena and spoke.

"If possible, I hope you will join hands and work together to create more 'heroes'."

In the guild's underground altar, Uranus, seated on his throne, closed his eyes and murmured softly.

"This is the enemy we are facing... Bell, everyone."

All the gods present gazed with clear, bright eyes at this life-or-death battle against the dragon.

(That is—the enemy we will have to face from now on.)

Under the protection of the white flower realm, I rang the great clock tower while letting my murmurs sink into the depths of my heart.

Every word that Professor Leon said during this journey is now echoing in my mind.

I've come to understand why the world craves 'heroes'.

The only way is to gather more 'heroes'. The more comrades-in-arms, the better.

Otherwise, we will ultimately be defeated in this final battle.

Looking towards the other side of the horizon, at the 'Fairy Spirit Storm' still swirling and wailing, I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly.

Once again, or even a million times from now on, I am willing to rekindle this belief.

Just like now, I am fighting alongside Professor Leon and Nina to stop the end from coming. I am willing to go forward with everyone.

(So—cut it off)

He held the "afterglow" tightly in his palm.

Oh, the torch passed down by the heroes, oh, the afterglow entrusted by the knights, may you become the light of hope guiding the future.

I am aware of everyone's expectations.

I am also well aware of my own desires.

In order to inherit the mythical flame ignited by the original hero, we will prove the will of this legacy until the moment the 'last hero' descends.

"—!!

[Hero's Wish] As he pulled the trigger, the image of Leon Wadenberg that appeared in his mind was 'Leon Wadenberg'.

Despite being repeatedly defeated by heroes, he continues to chase after them and protect the lower realm to this day.

The noble knight, determined to fulfill his legacy, left an indelible mark on my eyes as I raised my greatsword aloft, ablaze with fiery flames.

—I recall the heroic figures of knights and warriors.

—With this still immature body, he recreates the fierce demeanor of the two.

—I am well aware that my skills are still immature. But the fire power that makes up for it is now fully charged.

What is needed at this moment is 'power', 'magic', and an unshakeable will.