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

Phosphorescent light streamed down from the ceiling, illuminating the area surrounding the pale green walls. This place, called a "cave," was a square, open space within the underground city.

In this space, I held the Goddess's Blade in my backhand towards my opponent.

It has four legs, two thin arms, and large eyes. Its bright red appearance is reminiscent of an ant.

Unlike ordinary ants, it is about the same size as me, and its upper body stands upright as if it were raising its head, starting from a slender waist.

"Killer ants".

These are monsters that appear starting from the 7th floor. Among adventurers, they seem to be referred to as "newbie killers" along with the "Shadow of War" from the 6th floor.

This nickname comes from its sturdy shell and its attack power, which is incomparable to that of low-level monsters like goblins. The outer skin covering its body is as hard as armor. Half-baked attacks will only be deflected, and even if they are not, it is extremely difficult to inflict direct damage on the flesh through that shell.

The forearms were equipped with four well-developed claws. The curved, twisted protrusions now gleamed with a chilling sheen.

Before they could even break through the opponent's defenses, they were fatally wounded by the sharp claws. This is a common scenario when killer ants defeat their prey.

Because this monster's abilities are significantly different from those of their opponents so far, adventurers who are used to enemies up to the 5th floor often become its prey one after another.

“Chichi!”

The killer ants made a squeaking sound as they chewed with their mouthparts.

These monsters can actually call for their companions. Although they don't shout, they seem to emit a pheromone-like substance that we can't detect when they are in danger.

It's a perfect match for a hard shell. But it's terrible for us adventurers.

In short, if you're going to fight, you have to attack quickly. The best way is to send your opponent to their doom in one blow.

With a few steps between us, I remained locked in a stalemate with the killer ants.

"--drink!"

I made the first move. Counterattacking or launching a counterattack is not in my style.

I took the initiative, approached, and charged at the killer ant that was roaring and raising its right arm.

The enemy's four claws, drawing white arcs in the air, attacked from the left side of the field of vision—severing.

I was a step ahead of my opponent, using a swing speed faster than the killer ant to sever my forearm in two.

"grumble!"

Circle around to the right side of the killer ant that has lost its right arm—its weapon—and listen to its painful groans while gripping the Goddess Blade tightly, gathering strength for the next moment.

The most common way to defeat killer ants is to aim for the gaps in their hard shells and attack the soft flesh inside. While it's difficult for novice adventurers to stab a knife into a narrow crevice in the hard shell, it's at least the usual method.

However, I deliberately ignored it.

Facing the killer ant whose upper body was exposed and vulnerable after losing its arm, I aimed at its neck and swung the black blade horizontally.

“——”

The blade gradually sank into the hard shell protecting my neck.

The sensation was fleeting. Then the blade slid in without much resistance, and I naturally swung my arm away as usual.

With a swift whoosh, the dagger slid out of the demon, and the head of the killer ant flew into the air.

Purple liquid dripped from the severed neck. The monster's head, which had been spinning and falling through the air, looked bewildered before finally crashing to the ground.

The headless body immediately lost its strength as if it had remembered something, and collapsed to the ground.

"...Hmm, very good!"

I swung the blade to shake off the liquid clinging to it and then looked at the Goddess Blade.

It feels like it's been clinging to my palm. It's as if it's been with me for a long time, fitting my hand perfectly.

Its power is also impeccable. It can even slice through the hard shell of a killer ant as easily as cutting through butter.

That's amazing! This is Hephaestus's weapon!

It's a gift that the gods specially prepared for me!

"~♪"

I jumped for joy like a child who had received a new toy, collecting magic stones from the monsters I had slaughtered.

Actually, at that moment, I was probably no different from a child. It felt a lot like when I received picture books about heroes from my grandfather every year on my birthday. Back then, I always thought I should cherish reading them, and at first, I was even afraid of getting the books dirty.

Of course, I would never say I'm reluctant to use it now, but I can't stop myself from feeling excited and overjoyed.

(Thank you, God...)

Thinking of the face of the person who has been inexplicably busy lately, I felt grateful and smiled.

I must become stronger. I must become a worthy master of this weapon and not let down the gods.

I sheathed the dagger in the scabbard at my waist. I continued exploring the 7th floor.

●

"The seventh floor?"

“Y-yes!”

Bell let out a scream. He sensed that Eina, who was frowning, was speaking with suspicion, but was also radiating intense anger.

Having completed his exploration of the 7th floor today, Bell, brimming with joy thanks to the dagger Hestia had given him, returned triumphantly to the guild headquarters. After exchanging all his spoils for cash, he wanted to show his face to his advisor, Eina, and report on his progress, so he set off in high spirits—however, the moment Bell told her he had reached the 7th floor, his prime came to an end.

"I'm telling you! You didn't listen to a word I said! Not only did you skip the 5th floor, you even went to the 7th floor! You're so careless!"

"Yes, yes, yes, I'm so sorry!"

*Thump!* Eina slammed her hands on the table. Stared at relentlessly by Eina's emerald-green eyes, Bell felt like a frog being glared at by a snake.

Eina was angry, as she said, because Bell didn't know his own limitations and kept increasing the number of floors he was supposed to reach. In her opinion, that was too "risky," and that was what she was criticizing.

"Who was it that almost got killed by the Minotaur a little over a week ago?!"

"Yes, it's me!"

"Then why are you running down to the lower levels again! Haven't you learned your lesson, Belle?!"

"I...I'm so sorry...!" Bell almost burst into tears, but Eina felt that she was scolding him for his own good. She didn't want Bell to die, so she had to harden her heart and yell at him like a monster (cannibal).

For an immature newcomer who had been an adventurer for just over half a month, stepping below the 5th floor was tantamount to suicide.

Starting from the 5th floor, the dungeon undergoes a complete transformation, significantly increasing its difficulty. For example, on the 7th floor, once the killer ants call for their companions, it's game over. This is incomparable to the Earth Spirit Group; a lone individual would be devoured by those ant monsters in the blink of an eye.

"Your sense of crisis is insufficient! Absolutely insufficient! Today I'm going to make you truly experience the horrors of the dungeon, and incidentally, correct your mindset!"

"Eek!" Bell cried out.

Because over the past two weeks, he has personally experienced how terrifying Eina's Spartan-style instruction is.

Eina's education had indeed been remarkably effective for him, but whether he could readily accept that almost intensive training was another matter entirely. Bell quickly tried to explain.

"P-Please wait a minute! Um, I've grown quite a bit since then, Miss Eina!"

"You finally managed to get an H rating, and you still have the nerve to talk about growth...!"

"Yes, it's true! Several of my [ability stats] have already reached E level!"

"...E?"

Eina froze. Her eyes widened.

She didn't understand Bell's hasty words at first, but when she finally understood, a look of disbelief immediately appeared on her face.

"You...you think I'd be fooled by such nonsense...?"

"It's true, it's true! I don't know why, but I've been improving really fast lately. My skill level has increased a lot!"

"……Really?"

Seeing Bell nodding vigorously, Eina looked puzzled.

Even though she had only recently become Bell's advisor, she could tell whether the boy in front of her was lying.

According to Eina's insight, Bell was not lying at this point.

"...Is it really E?"

"Yes, yes."

Wait a minute, Eina said, pointing her palm at Bell.

She counted with her remaining hand: S, A, B, C, D, E… She bent her fingers six times, making a "mmm" sound. One more time. S, A, B, C, D, E… six times. The result was the same.

Eina was in a state of confusion. Bell wasn't lying, but she just couldn't believe the absurd claim that basic abilities could be raised to E.

Eina's predicted ability rating of H was not something she made up. An adventurer's appropriate ability level, which they could reach in half a month, regardless of whether it was their area of ​​expertise, was roughly H. And this only applied to those who were quite capable.

G was already amazing, but to surpass F... it's just too fast no matter how you look at it.

If the boy had combat skills before becoming an adventurer, it would be somewhat convincing, but unfortunately, the boy in front of him used to be a farmer. However, Bell wasn't lying.

"Mmmmmm." Eina maintained her serious expression, pressing her index finger against her delicate chin as she fell into deep thought.

Left alone to face the silence, Bell shifted his body somewhat awkwardly.

"...Hey, Bell."

"W-What is it?"

"Can I take a look at the [ability stats] engraved on your back?"

"...Huh!"

Seeing Eina say this to him so earnestly, Bell shouted loudly.

"Ah, it's not that I don't believe what you're saying, it's just..."

Eina quickly waved her hands to clear up the misunderstanding.

Yes, but... it's hard to say that Hestia, the chief goddess of Bell, didn't provide him with incorrect information... that's her opinion.

Or perhaps there were some errors in the transmission of the message.

The symbol "E" was so illogical to Eina that it made her so suspicious.

She was so suspicious that she insisted on getting irrefutable evidence from Bell, otherwise she couldn't believe what Bell said.

"But... shouldn't an adventurer's [ability stats] be the most confidential information that can't be leaked...?"

Even within guilds that govern urban adventurers, the disclosure of personal information is strictly prohibited. Except for the obligation to report LV and other information to assign ranks to individuals and serve as indicators of strength for each faction (familia), no other restrictions apply.

Some of them possess rare "skills" or special "magic." Given the nature of organizations like the "Family," today's friends can easily become tomorrow's enemies. In this situation, personal information must be kept secret to avoid exposing one's weaknesses.

"I promise you, from now on I will never tell anyone what I see. If Bell's [ability value] is leaked, I will take full responsibility and swear to obey any of your orders."

"Submit, obey... Besides, Miss Eina, can you even read hieroglyphs?"

"Hmm, but I can only understand a little bit. I think I can understand the [Ability Value] section."

Eina, after all, was a scholar who had attended school and specialized in general theology.

Reading and writing simple sacred texts is no challenge for her.

"If I don't confirm it with my own eyes, I'll never allow Bell to cross the 5th floor again, okay?"

"That...that's really not a good idea..."

"I don't know how to look at the magic and skill slots, okay? Please!"

"I haven't learned any magic or skills yet, so it doesn't matter... I understand."

Seeing Eina clap her hands together and bow her head in pleading, Bell gave in.

After all, he had received a lot of help from her, and Bell trusted her completely, just as he trusted Hestia. Bell had no doubt what Eina said.

"Uh, so... I'll take it off, okay?"

"If you're going to blush, then don't ask so many questions! You're making me feel embarrassed too!"

Both of them blushed and left their seats, heading towards a less crowded corner of the room. Bell, suppressing his embarrassment, quickly took off his shirt.

Instead of looking at the black [ability values] etched all over her back, Eina stared in a daze at the unexpectedly strong back, but quickly regained her senses and shook her head from side to side.

With her pointed ears turning red, she began to intently decipher the sacred text.

Bell Craney

LV.1

Strength: E 403 Durability: H 99 Dexterity: E 412 Agility: D 521 Magic: I 0