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

I frowned, heartbroken, and could only utter these words.

Just as I was at a loss for words, the deity made a resolute expression and told me firmly:

"It's too early to give up now, Bell."

"what?"

"I have an idea."

After saying that, the immortal reached to his waist and took out a small box.

Seeing my wide eyes, the deity looked smug and was about to open the box with great confidence.

"ah."

"Eh?"

But the deity's movements suddenly stopped.

She looked up with her mouth half open.

Following her gaze, I also looked up at the long staircase behind us, and saw the silhouette of a wild ape rapidly descending. The overwhelming sense of déjà vu made both of us turn pale instantly.

"Gaa ...

"Oh my god!"

Without thinking twice, we quickly fled the scene.

Seeing the silverback ape make a crushing landing where we had been a second earlier, Shenxian and I sped up in perfect unison.

Hey, wait a minute, a god—so fast! He's rushing ahead of me at lightning speed!

What are all those touching lines compared to that!

"Ughhh!"

"Gods, immortals—!"

When I saw the deity fall flat on his face with a loud thud, I let out a scream.

I hurriedly picked up the deity who was lying on the ground in a "long live" pose. While we were scrambling around, the silverback ape was not far away.

"Excuse me, excuse my rudeness, sir!"

“Wow!”

There's no time to be picky!

I impolitely picked up the fairy horizontally and started running away again as fast as I could.

The fairy, whom I was holding horizontally—the kind of princess carry that heroes in fairy tales often do—was blushing and moaning softly in my arms.

"I'm sorry, Belle. In this situation, I actually feel genuinely happy...!"

"What are you talking about, you deity!"

I cannot comprehend the divine will of the gods at all!

Confused by the unexpected situation, I only cared about running forward. The deity held me tightly, and I clung to him just as fast as I could. Plus, the deity was incredibly light, so focused on escaping, I moved through the maze unimpeded, gradually increasing the distance between myself and the monster.

however.

At the last moment, we were tricked by fate.

"Dead end..."

This passageway, nestled between three towering buildings, was a complete dead end. There was only one road leading here, so there was no point in turning back; our escape route was completely cut off.

I put down my magic and looked around. The residents of Daedalus Road were peeking at us from their houses. As soon as they noticed my gaze, they quickly withdrew.

Everyone is afraid of monsters, and if they harbor us, we will definitely be affected. It's understandable that they would react this way. I can't blame them.

In the end, they were driven to the brink of despair.

The deity rested his hand on his chin, deep in thought, while I stood beside him, head bowed in worry.

"...No, this is just right."

"what?"

Hearing the deity slowly speaking to himself, I looked up.

The deity, much smaller than me, looked up at me with a stern gaze.

"Bell, you'll be the one to defeat that monster."

"...!"

"I'm going to do the final [Ability Stats] update here. Use the power you're about to enhance to fight that monster."

Indeed, if I could ask a deity to update the [ability value] engraved on my back, my abilities might be greatly increased, making the situation slightly better.

But... even so, I still definitely can't deal with it.

The silverback ape is a monster that appears on the 11th floor. There's almost a twofold difference between it and me, who's still on the 6th floor. The difference between an adventurer's arrival floor and the floor where the monster appears is directly equivalent to a difference in ability. Even if I become slightly stronger, there's still a clear gap in ability between me and the silverback ape.

Even if I were to confront them head-on, I would be no match for them. Besides…

"...Impossible, God. You saw it too, didn't you, God? My attacks were ineffective against that guy. Even if my power increased a little, I still couldn't inflict a fatal wound on the silverback ape."

Basic attack power is also a major problem.

Since entering Daedalus Road, I believe I've unleashed my strongest finishing move against my opponent with my current stats. But even so, I still couldn't pierce the Silverback Ape's bristles.

Even with the added boost to my [ability stats] and the weapon at hand, I don't think I can break through the enemy's defenses.

"I... can't beat that guy."

My head was lowered, and I whispered in a weak voice.

The orc youth's scathing curses. The countless suppressed chuckles of the tavern patrons. The vividly resurrected scene in my mind held enough power to make me understand my current worth.

I can't hurt or defeat a silverback ape. I can't believe myself.

My confidence is about to be shaken.

"What if the attack becomes effective?"

“—Huh?”

"If you can inflict damage on your opponent, can you defeat that monster?"

After the deity finished speaking, he opened the box in his hand and handed me the contents.

What was taken out was a pitch-black dagger sheathed.

I stood there dumbfounded, slowly taking the dagger and drawing it from its sheath. Surprisingly, the weapon's hilt and sheath were both jet black, and even the blade itself was black.

Its entire body was dyed black, and it carried a straight, unbent knife.

Not only that, the blade was also covered with intricate markings.

Soon, as if in response to my encouragement, this "divine dagger" began to gleam with a pale blue-purple light in my hand.

Its sacredness, like a work of art by a celestial being, and its beautiful design as a weapon, captivated my attention in seconds.

I looked up and saw the deity staring straight at me with bright, pure eyes.

"Bell, when did you become so insecure? Not long ago, you were spouting nonsense about fateful encounters and carelessly venturing into the depths of the dungeon. Where did that carefree you go, the you who found your goal and vowed to become stronger?"

The immortal shrugged and continued in an extremely relaxed tone.

"I trust you completely, you know? This little thing doesn't even count as an 'adventure.' Am I wrong? The adventurer Bell Craney, who targeted that monster-like woman named Warren, dealt with that monster in no time."

Finally, the deity made a serious expression and said:

"I'm going to let you win. I'll let you win."

"..."

"Perhaps you can't believe in yourself right now. Then, could you instead believe in me, who trusts you?"

I almost cried. A lump formed in my throat. Perhaps tears welled up deep in my eyes.

Looking at the smiling deity, I wiped my eyes with my arm and nodded with tears in my eyes.

✟

The sun is high in the sky at this moment.

The sun, hovering in the center of the sky, illuminated Daedalus Road, which was shrouded in shadow by the many intricate houses.

This long passageway, which forms a dead end, is also exposed to strong sunlight.

(Hurry, hurry, hurry! Be quick!)

Hestia stuck out her tongue and licked her lips, constantly moving her little hands.

Before her was Bell's back. She was almost pressed against Bell's back, who was kneeling on one knee, completely focused on updating her [ability stats].

Bell removed his damaged light armor, leaving only a black shirt on his upper body. Hestia allowed divine blood to permeate the fabric, etching [divine script] onto it with remarkably fluid movements.

The updating of [Ability Values] does not require visual confirmation. This task simply extracts the accumulated and inherent [Experience Values] of the people in the lower realms and manifests them in the form of [Ability Values]. Even if there is a shirt between your back and someone else's, as long as you have [Experience Values], it will not affect the updating of [Ability Values].

"—Do you understand, Hestia? Listen carefully."

While Hestia was anxious about when the monster would arrive, she also remembered what Hephaestus had said.

"This dagger has gained stats because you inscribed it with [Holy Script]. This weapon is 'alive'."

While Hephaestus was forging mithril as the material, Hestia was performing [ability value] processing on the weapon that was "Hestia's Blade".

The markings engraved all over the black blade were actually sacred script.

"In other words, it's like a child who has received 'God's grace.' This weapon evolves by feeding on the 'experience points' gained by the wielder."

Hephaestus further stated that only those who have received Hestia's "blessing" as much as the dagger can wield it, making it a defective weapon with fatal flaws.

"As the user grows stronger, this weapon will also be enhanced. In other words, as long as the user's adventurer level continues to rise, it will be able to exert corresponding power."

Therefore, it is "a first-class equipment prepared for novice adventurers".

It is neither too strong nor too weak; it simply grows alongside its user and is a partner known as a weapon.

"In its current state, this dagger is weaker than any other weapon. It will only come to life and grow with your child, Bell Craney, when it is handed over to him."

To put it extremely, if the user is weak, the dagger will always be weak.

If the user reaches the "strongest" level, this dagger will also become the "strongest weapon".

"As blacksmiths, we believe that weapons that can reach the highest level on their own are simply heretical and unorthodox. Please don't make me make any more of these weapons."

Hestia expressed her gratitude to her divine friend who, despite complaining, still fulfilled her wish.

Now, she needs to enhance both Bell and the Blade of Hestia simultaneously.

She wants to elevate it into a weapon that is also effective against silverback monkeys.

(The problem is...!)

The key point is simply how far Bell's [ability stats] will grow, given his precocious nature of [Unwavering Aspiration], and to what extent he can enhance "Hestia's Blade".

"The immortals have arrived!"

"!"

A long, enormous passageway stretched vertically in a straight line. The silverback ape appearing around the corner made Hestia's heart race. Almost simultaneously, the [Ability Values] were also completed.

Bell Craney

LV.1

Strength: G221→E403 Durability: H101→H199 Dexterity: G232→E412 Agility: F313→D521 Magic: I0

All skill proficiency increases by over 600 points in total!

The value is rising without end. Will it continue to grow? This rate of growth has long exceeded the bounds of common sense.

Jealousy of Ais burned fiercely deep within her, but at the same time, she became certain of one thing.

(Regarding this number...!)

The power of weapons will also increase significantly.

The black dagger in Bell's hand seemed to intensify its blue-purple glow as if it were being conceived.

(Now it's up to Bale!)