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

■

Ais Wallenstein

Lv.5

Strength: D555→564

Durability: D547→553

Dexterity: A825→827

Agility: A822→824

Magic: A899→S900

Hunter: G

Abnormal resistance: G

Swordsman: I→H

"This is the final [stat] for Lv.5!"

Loki smoothly rewrote the updated [ability values] into Koine and nimbly handed the parchment to Ais.

Every basic ability has increased, with "Magic Power" in particular surpassing the others by a significant margin. Adventurers who are about to "level up" will mostly have a final ability status of C or D, at most B. It can be said that almost no one's highest ability rating can reach S, which is indeed something to be proud of.

Ais glanced at the numbers written on the parchment casually.

"It can also trigger the special 'Development Ability' bonus during [Upgrade]! That's great, Ais, because you didn't get anything when you leveled up to Lv.5!"

"...What kind of ability is it?"

"Mental Recovery! That's the ability that only Rivera possesses! Since I can only choose one, let's activate this one!?"

Loki confirmed with some excitement, and Ais blinked a few times before nodding.

Ais's back (ability stat) shows signs of potential sublimation, with intermittent ripples radiating from its center. The crimson inscriptions—[hieroglyph]—maintain a certain interval, undulating and glowing in a deep and tranquil manner.

Loki couldn't wait any longer and swiped his finger across the [Ability Values] that were in standby mode.

In contrast to the main god (her) who was excitedly celebrating the rank-up of her servants, Ais's face showed an expression of being somewhat out of touch with the situation.

Ais Wallenstein Lv.6

Strength: I0

Durability: I0

Dexterity: I0

Agile: I0

Magic: I0

Hunter: G

Abnormal resistance: G

Swordsman: H

Mental recovery: I

[Ability Values] After completing her Ascension, Ais glanced at the full-length mirror in the corner of the room. Without waiting for Loki to translate for her, Ais first looked at her back in the mirror and deciphered the reversed [Divine Script].

It does indeed raise the level; it reflects the extra point, the reset capability parameter; and finally, the newly generated capability items.

The "Mental Recovery" ability automatically restores mental energy. Without needing deep rest, a small amount of mental energy is restored while using magic. To put it extremely, given enough time, magic potions become unnecessary. For mages with high mental energy consumption, acquiring this "rare ability" would be a cause for immense joy. Aside from Rivera, Ais has never heard of anyone else learning this ability.

The cause of this ability is probably due to the long-term continuous use of magic (Wind Spirit Swiftness).

Ais's long-accumulated experience points, including all her abilities, have finally borne fruit – a result of her persistent efforts.

"What? You defeated the floor master (Udeius) all by yourself? No wonder you [leveled up]."

Loki seemed unaware of what "great achievements" Ais had accomplished. If she hadn't directly asked Rivera, she probably wouldn't know, since Ais herself had remained silent until now.

"You really know how to make people worry—" Loki poked Ais's soft cheek with his finger, but also frankly congratulated her: "Congratulations, Ais."

As for Ais, who was dressed, she looked absent-minded to anyone who saw her. "...Hmm." She nodded.

"...You finally leveled up, why are you so gloomy?"

Loki tilted his head slightly, and Ais noticed it when she said that.

I finally achieved my wish to upgrade, but I wasn't really moved.

The pursuit of greater power has always been his wish, and he has always looked forward to this moment.

Only in this moment did Ais's desire for power diminish.

Only for this brief moment could Ais forget her obsession with power.

Why? Just when she herself found it unbelievable... a corner of her mind flashed the image of a boy running at full speed.

"Ugh!" Ais felt a sharp pain in her heart.

"...It seems that Ais has something more important to her than becoming stronger right now—"

Loki gazed at her sorrowful profile and smiled with a hint of joy.

Ais looked up at the main god who was smiling at her, and fell into deep thought.

...Perhaps it cannot be denied.

Ever since her encounter with that boy, Ais felt like she spent all her free time thinking about him. Even now, she was experiencing alternating moments of joy and sorrow because of her interactions with him.

What's wrong with me? Ais placed her hand on her chest, pondering.

A simple question arose in her mind, unlike confusion.

"--ah!?"

Loki, who had been watching Ais with a smile, suddenly began to tremble.

"Could it be... that she's lovesick!? Ais, you have a man!?"

"...?"

Ais couldn't quite understand what Loki, whose expression had changed drastically, was saying, so she tilted her head to the side.

Unable to comprehend Loki's intentions, she interpreted his reaction as a recurring "habit" of the chief god—a womanizing god who occasionally uttered inexplicable words. Ais ignored Loki's commotion.

(What should we do next?)

In short, she felt very heavy-hearted.

Will I ever be able to properly apologize to the boy?

Loki, with his back to someone, was making a racket, seemingly excited about something.

Ais recalled the profile of the white rabbit as it ran away, and once again fell into despair.

■

That night, Ais reached level 6, and the next morning, everyone at the Loki Familia headquarters was talking about her level up.

The aloof young woman, a faction leader, had accomplished a great feat that inspired both fear and admiration among the members. Their cheeks flushed with excitement, while Ais herself seemed to carry a heavy weight on her shoulders, responding little even to spoken-to. She soon—unsteadily—left the morning dining hall. However, the lower-ranking members, predominantly female, remained excited and thrilled after her departure. The male members also showered her with enthusiastic praise. The powerful and beautiful "Sword Princess" was becoming an even greater object of worship and pride for the Loki Familia than ever before.

However, many within Ais's close circle also seemed quite resentful. The werewolf leader, angrily tearing at his flesh, kicked away a male member (Raul) who excitedly approached him; the younger of the Amazonian sisters shouted, "We got there first—!!", radiating resentment, prompting her older sister to say, "Shut up, you're so noisy." Beside them, the junior elven girl's azure eyes flickered, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Ignore the group members who have been making a racket since early morning.

After breakfast, the faction leaders gathered in the leader's office.

"Ais has finally reached Lv.6."

"Spurred on by her, Tiona and the others should be close soon... I just hope they don't act recklessly like Ais."

"Haha, high morale is a good thing."

The dwarf Grice, the elf Riveria, and the dwarf Finn (Palum) speak in turn.

Finn's office was located in the tower directly north of the headquarters, which consisted of several spires. In the room, which had large bookshelves and a fireplace, Finn sat behind his desk, Riveria stood against the wall, and Grace sat on a wooden stool.

"Finn, you can't keep dawdling like this, can you? Be careful, or you'll lose face as veterans!"

Besides them, there was one other person.

The goddess, with malicious intent to mock them, surveyed the three of them with her crimson eyes.

As the chief god sat on Finn's ebony desk, some of his followers closed their eyes, while others gave wry smiles, each reacting in their own way.

Loki revealed a comical grin that matched the same clown (trickster) flag (badge) hanging on the wall behind him.

"Well, it's about time we started talking about the colorful 'magic stones.' We've been so busy lately, let's exchange some details."

Loki unceremoniously sat down at the table and told everyone.

As she said, Finn and the others gathered here to share information about the recent events—the disturbances led by the man-eating flower monster. The unrest in the city (Orario) has gradually come to light and can no longer be ignored.

Loki and the others became serious and began to discuss face-to-face a series of events that threatened their own people (the Familia).

"The colorful magic stones... are those the new monsters from the 50th floor, and the carnivorous plants that appeared at the festival?"

"Let's put aside the connection between these two monsters for now... How's the situation in the underground sewers, Loki? You and Bert investigated it together, right?"

Finn followed up on Grace's words.

Loki glanced casually at the boy's face and answered his question:

"Although monsters appeared, we didn't find any clues. And then a suspicious guy tried to pass me a hot potato..."

The old underground sewers that showed signs of use, the large water tank where man-eating plants (monsters) appeared, the god Dionysus whom you met after the investigation, and the information he provided.

Loki recounts what he and Bert saw in the underground waterways ten days ago, and finally describes the situation when the Invading Guild made contact with Uranus.

"Can the guild be considered innocent?"

What Riveria wanted to ask Loki was whether the man-eating flower monsters, including those from the Monster Philia festival, that were brought to the surface, regardless of the method used, had any connection to the guild.

"The guild seems to be hiding something, but I don't think they have any direct connection to this commotion..."

Loki told everyone that this was just God's (his own) unfounded intuition.

Since the supreme deity has said so, it must be true. Finn and the others, showing the trust they had developed over years with Loki, expressed their agreement.

"So, Finn, what about you guys?"

The roles are reversed, and this time Finn and Riveria will give the explanation. They explain to Loki the murder case that occurred in "Rivera Town" on the 18th floor, as well as the attack by a large number of carnivorous plants.

The culprit has been identified as the red-haired female beast tamer. She is capable of killing a Level 2 adventurer (Hassana), possessing strength equivalent to a Level 1 adventurer; even Ais was no match for her. She was also the one who summoned the monsters in town.

What this woman wanted was the strange fetus "Baozhu" that Hassanna had brought back on the instructions of a mysterious client.

"It can actually cause monsters to mutate... It's truly unbelievable. So, does that mean the female-shaped monster on the 50th floor was also transformed from that orb?"

"I'm afraid so, although the only witnesses were Ais and Lefia..."

"I'm more concerned about that female beast tamer. Finn and Riveria barely managed to defeat her together... and she's not even one of Freya's [Fierce Ones (Ota)]. Do you think you have a chance against her head-on, Finn?"

"I really want to say I won't lose to her... but it's also true that she's not an opponent you'd want to face head-on."

Riveria answered Grace, who was stroking his beard, while Finn answered Loki, who was sitting cross-legged on the table.

The "jewels," parasitizing multiple carnivorous plants, transformed into colossal monsters, their appearance strikingly similar to the female figure that appeared on the 50th floor, scattering explosive powder and corrosive liquid everywhere. Regarding the "jewels," all they knew was that Hassanna, who had been brutally murdered, had retrieved them from the 30th floor; all other clues remained elusive.

As for Loki, after hearing Finn's insights on the enemy, his lips pursed into a ヘ shape. That woman's strength is probably on par with Finn and Riveria at level 6... Thinking about it this way, the female beast tamer might also be one of the few level 6 beast tamers in the labyrinth city (Orario).

"Which faction does he belong to?" Loki murmured to himself, referring to this opponent of unknown origin.

"...I asked Ais about something last time."

Rivera spoke slowly.

She first stated that she had finally managed to find out about this after defeating the floor master (Udeos), and then continued:

"That female animal trainer, I think she's called 'Arya'."

Upon hearing this statement, not only Finn and Grace, but even Loki's eyes widened.

Finn pressed Riveria with a serious expression:

"Is it really true, Rivera?"

"Yes, that woman seemed to have said that immediately after seeing Ais's magic (wind), and then she started to relentlessly pursue her."

It was as if they had found what they were looking for—Riviera added.