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

(No way...)

Although she had somewhat accepted the possibility, she was still stunned when the facts were laid bare before her.

Putting aside "magic power," this ability alone is more than enough to deal with the monsters on the 7th floor. Eina, who values ​​defense, might want to complain about the low "durability" stat, but Bell's fighting style, judging from his ability, seems to focus on a hit-and-run tactic of disruption and evasion, which is acceptable.

When she saw that "Agility" had entered D, she almost screamed.

(I can't believe it...)

Aina let out a soft gurgling sound. The sound of her common sense being so easily shattered echoed in her ears, and a strange chill ran down her spine. It was precisely because Aina was well-versed in the various kinds of information about adventurers who ventured into the dungeons, as required by her job, that she knew how surreal the scene before her was.

Bell's "growth" is simply too illogical.

--Skill?

This possibility flashed through my mind in an instant.

Perhaps some kind of ability had blossomed and borne fruit, forming this unconventional growth force. Eina pondered this for a while with almost annoyance... At this moment, she suddenly had a bad idea.

(...just take a look.)

The sacred script extending to the middle of her back caught her eye.

The "Magic" and "Skills" fields were right in front of her.

Now that things had come to this, it was almost impossible for her to resist this irresistible urge. Seeing the treasure chest open made her want to peek inside; perhaps it was just a demi-human instinct.

Driven by curiosity, Eina couldn't resist taking a peek to check the magic and skills slots.

(...Oh, no.)

can't read.

The dense array of [holy script] made it impossible for Eina to decipher the magic skill bar.

—Actually, Hestia, who doted on her child excessively, tampered with the [Sacred Script] as a precaution, without affecting Bell's abilities, adding protective measures to his [ability values]. Eina, who hadn't fully grasped the system and essence of the [Sacred Script], mistook this inexplicably complex and strange inscription structure for Hestia's personal handwriting, that is, her writing habits, and thus misunderstood.

In the psychological battle over Bell's true situation, Hestia has a slight advantage this time.

"Um—Miss Eina…is she ready yet?"

"Ah...it's okay now!"

Hearing Bell's somewhat embarrassed voice, Eina's ears perked up, and she finally noticed the situation. She smiled awkwardly, looked away from her [ability stats], and watched Bell hurriedly putting on his clothes, silently apologizing to him in her heart.

However, it turns out it was true, Eina thought to herself.

If those are the stats, then she has no reason to prevent Bell from entering the 7th floor. While it's not to say there won't be any problems, as long as he doesn't make any mistakes, he can easily conquer the 7th floor on his own.

However, this also stirred up another worry in her heart.

"..."

"Is there...is there something you need?"

Eina scrutinized Bell from head to toe, her gaze taking in every single detail. Feeling Eina's unabashed stare, Bell's voice trembled slightly.

Eina wasn't trying to take advantage of Bell.

She wasn't looking at Bell's body, but at the equipment he was wearing... what shabby armor!

"Bell".

"W-What is it?"

"Will you be free tomorrow?"

“…Huh?”

◇

One day later.

I am in the northern part of Orario, standing alone in a semi-circular plaza facing the main road.

Because I had arranged to meet Miss Eina.

Yes, we arranged to meet...

(This...this can't be...a date, can it?)

Even though it's clearly impossible, I can't help but have this thought.

Yesterday, Miss Eina invited me to go shopping for armor.

She seemed to have compared my dungeon progress with my current equipment and determined that my current armor was insufficient for the situation. This considerate lady actually went to such lengths for me.

Yes, so there's no other meaning. It was just that kind lady's kind gesture...

(...That's true, but from an outsider's perspective, it's completely...)

In terms of form, it is entirely possible.

Meet at 10:00 AM in front of the bronze statue in the square! Just the two of us!

Whoa—! Whoa—?

"Hey—, Bell—!"

"!"

And so, that moment finally arrived.

The person made a lovely, melodious sound and came running at a trot, their figure growing larger and larger in my field of vision.

Good morning, you're here early. What, so excited to buy new armor?

"Ah, no, I...!"

—The thought of being alone with Miss Eina makes me so nervous.

Does my inability to be honest with her mean I'm useless?

I looked uneasy, my eyes darting left and right.

"Okay, actually I'm really looking forward to it too. Even though it's Bell who's going to buy things, I'm still a little excited."

Miss Eina's outfit was different from usual. She usually wore a crisp guild uniform, but today she wore a chic white lace-trimmed blouse with a short skirt. It looked both stylish and casual. She also took off her glasses, which she often wore.

Perhaps it's because I'm used to seeing her in guild uniforms, but seeing Miss Eina transform from a mature woman to a stunningly beautiful woman is... well, let's just say she's absolutely dazzling.

Yes, she is very cute.

Miss Eina's masterful use of contrast completely captivated me.

"Am I weird to be so excited about buying dangerous equipment?"

"No, no way!"

Seeing my quick denial, Miss Eina giggled. Waaah, waaah—…

It's understandable why she enjoys top-tier popularity among adventurers within the guild staff.

Are all half-elves like Miss Eina...?

"Hmm. So, Bell?"

"W-What is it?"

"Don't you have anything to say about my casual attire?"

She looked up at me with the eyes of a mischievous child.

Woohoo, woohoo—...

"...Um, really...you look much younger than usual."

"Hey! I'm only nineteen!"

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

Miss Eina's slender, fair arms wrapped around the base of my neck.

Then she pulled me under her armpits and squeezed me tightly... My cheeks were repeatedly pushed against Miss Eina's chest...

"Hey, apologize to me right now—!"

"Stop, please stop! Spare me! Aa ...

Miss Eina's suppressed laughter drifted into my ears in a pleasant voice, and I screamed at the top of my lungs.

●

"It's been a long time since I've gone shopping with other people like this."

"Is that so? I thought Miss Eina would be highly sought after... especially by men."

"Hehe, Belle, you have such a sweet tongue. But I'm serious. Ever since I joined the guild, I've been busy with work."

Today is a beautiful sunny day.

A perfect day for a date… I wouldn’t say that, of course, but the sky was a dazzling blue without a single cloud. As Miss Eina led me south along North Street, a refreshing breeze blew between us.

At this time of day, the main street is quite bustling. Pedestrians are still coming and going in a steady stream. Shops of all sizes are bustling with activity, and shopkeepers are actively calling out to attract customers. The dwarves' voices, booming like an earthquake, are particularly loud.

Every now and then, shop assistants would call out to Miss Eina (I was being treated like a servant), but she would always politely wave them away. The orc shop assistant who called out to her would soften completely, radiating happiness.

"Um, where are we going today? If we keep going, we'll reach the dungeon."

"You'll know when I tell you, maybe that's a bit too malicious? Well, okay, I'll tell you then."

In Orario, eight avenues called "Main Streets" extend from the city center, each occupying a different direction: North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, and Northwest. From an aerial view, four thick lines can be seen running through the city center.

The underground city is located in the city center where these streets intersect.

The central park, where all the major streets converge, was now in sight. With the overwhelming presence of the skyscrapers right in the center of my view, I awaited Miss Eina's reply.

"The place we're going to today... is the dungeon."

"What!"

"To be precise, it's the skyscraper (Tower of Babel) located above the underground city."

The Tower of Babel is a super-tall tower built on top of the underground labyrinth (Dungeon), like the lid of the labyrinth, that is, that skyscraper.

I said it was like a lid, and in fact, the Tower of Babel did indeed take on the responsibility of monitoring and managing the underground city.

This guild-owned facility is a building that adventurers are very familiar with.

"You mean the Tower of Babel...aren't public facilities like showers only used by adventurers there?"

"You really don't know anything... But, considering you've only been an adventurer for less than a month, that's understandable, isn't it? Well then, today I'll briefly teach you a few useful pieces of information?"

—Recalling my past memories of being thoroughly indoctrinated with knowledge of dungeons (Spartan-style), to be honest, seeing Miss Eina's smug expression terrified me.

I listened to what she had to say while praying that the situation wouldn't happen.

"The Tower of Babel, which the guild owns, is a public facility for adventurers, just like Bell said. That's one. There's also a simple restaurant, medical facilities, and a money exchange, did you know that?"

"Wait, aren't they only for the guild headquarters and branches?"

"No, the Tower of Babel also has these facilities. It's just that there are fewer appraisers, so the queues might be quite long... Shall I continue? There's another one, which is also our destination today: the Tower of Babel has converted some of its vacant spaces into shops, which are rented out to various merchants."

I'm starting to understand what she's trying to say. So, we're going to the Tower of Babel to visit the weapons and armor shops inside.

"Since it's built directly above the dungeon, all the shops are specialized stores designed specifically for adventurers. Most are commercial [familias]. For example, the most representative shop in the Tower of Babel is the [Hephaestus Familia]. You should at least have heard of it, right?"

"Yes, I've heard of it."

I was startled. I almost reached out to check the dagger that was always tucked into my waistband.

"Bell, how much do you know about the Hephaestus Familia?"

"Uh, it's probably like a super popular [familia] that specializes in selling weapons and equipment. Their items are incredibly expensive, and every adventurer wants one..."

"Yes, that's right. ...By the way, we're scheduled to visit the Hephaestus Familia's shop today."

“W-What—!”

Seeing me let out the loudest scream of the day, Miss Eina smiled like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank.

"What's going on?" I hurriedly asked her, but she dodged my attack like an elusive fairy and stepped into the suddenly open field of vision.

"Finally, it's finally here..."

central square.

The large circular area surrounding the white-walled Tower of Babel is planted with trees and features fountains; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a park.