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

The vast forest located on the 18th floor is a major attraction.

The area from the south to the east of the building is densely covered with tall trees, occupying a full fifth of the "Maze Paradise". In addition to the large grassland adjacent to the central area, the forest extends all the way to the walls at the edge of the building. Not only are there various fruit trees and plants growing in abundance, but also blue crystals of different sizes, ranging from crystal pillars resembling giant daggers to pebbles, breaking through the earth to grow, which is also a characteristic feature.

And once "night" falls, the great forest will transform into a monster forest.

The blue crystals, which shimmered with a dreamy, soft light during the day, now gleamed with an eerie, cold light, making the desolate forest seem utterly sinister. The threat of monsters with superior night vision was undeniable, and the forest's rugged terrain offered unexpected dangers; a moment's carelessness could lead to dire consequences. Furthermore, many high-level adventurers had entered the forest and never returned, their bodies and belongings never found. This anomaly fueled speculation that some powerful monster might lurk deep within the forest… a rumor that circulated with considerable conviction in the town of Rivera.

In any case, the forest at night is always dangerous. Even those who are used to venturing into the forest can easily lose their way.

After all that, the conclusion is...

"I'm lost again..."

"Are you...you trying to blame it on me!?"

Bell and Rafia are in trouble.

After chasing each other for a while, the two came to their senses and realized that they were lost somewhere in the dark forest, not knowing where they were.

Bell was dejected, having gotten lost in the forest for the second time today.

Seeing the boy like this, Lefia blushed with anger and started yelling.

Two inexperienced adventurers wiped their sweat under a large tree, their panting breaths mingling together.

Lefia had caught Belle a few minutes earlier. She was holding her wand in both hands, about to execute the frightened white rabbit, when she realized that they had been so focused on running that they were now surrounded by unfamiliar scenery.

Deep within the forest, the sounds of people were absent, and they had no idea which path they had taken to get there. Sweating profusely, the two silently and frantically searched the area, but the dark and terrifying forest only forced the boy and girl to confront reality.

Wandering around aimlessly didn't change anything, and this is how things have turned out.

"To be honest, it's all your fault! Why did you have to run away? And of all places, you had to run so deep into the forest!"

"Eeeeeeeeeeeee... But... but I thought if I didn't run, I'd... I'd die...!!"

"How could that be! What do you take me for?! I just wanted to teach you a lesson!"

"So you really want to make me look bad!?"

Both of them straightened their bent backs and began to argue incessantly and shout incessantly.

Bell held the portable magic stone lamp he had brought in his hand, and the light swayed slightly in time with the two of them talking.

"To get to the bottom of it, it's all your shamelessness!! How could you ask Miss Ais to do special training!? You're from another [Familia], and there's no connection between the factions! Don't you find that strange at all!?"

"Ugh...!?"

"Miss Ais is a Level 1 adventurer, the renowned [Sword Maiden]!! Strong, beautiful, and delicate!! How could you possibly make her train with an unknown novice adventurer like yourself! You're utterly lacking in common sense!!"

Facing Bell, Lefia unknowingly vented all the resentment she had been holding in.

As she approached, her face flushed red, Bell was completely unable to refute her and cowered in fear.

"So you didn't just occupy Miss Ais in the morning, but for the entire day! Even after coming to this floor, you still troubled her to take care of you…! I'm so envious! No, I'm so shameless!!"

"Waaaaah...!?"

The anger that had been building up over time, like a cauldron of witch's raging fire, finally erupted uncontrollably, and all the grievances she could think of burst forth. She accused the boy of all his mistakes from the training at the city wall before the "expedition" until today, occasionally adding a touch of personal resentment.

Bell could only be scolded until he leaned back.

"And in the end, they even spied on Miss Ais, naked, naked, naked...!"

"I'm so sorry!?"

"Did you see that!?"

“Eh!?”

"You saw that, didn't you!?"

"What...what did you see?!"

"Do you want me to say it out loud!?"

"I'm so sorry—!?"

The boy confessed that he had clearly seen Ais's naked body, which brought tears to Lefia's eyes.

"Don't you feel ashamed as a human being?! You're utterly despicable! You are the worst human being ever!!"

Lefia closed her eyes tightly and screamed at the top of her lungs.

Having suffered the final blow from the beautiful girl (elf), "Gurgle!?" The boy's body bent into a U-shape.

After staggering a few steps... Bell, unable to utter a single groan, immediately hung his head in dejection.

The storm of accusations from the girl was abruptly halted.

Haa, haa...

In the dark and silent forest, only the sound of Lefia's breathing rising and falling could be heard.

The boy didn't refute or argue, simply letting her scold him. His white hair, like the ears of a dejected rabbit, drooped low.

Under the light of the magic stone lamp he was carrying in his right hand, Lefia saw his appearance and couldn't help but look away.

Thinking back, aside from our first meeting, this was the first time I had actually spoken to him.

After speaking her mind, Rafia regained her composure and realized she might have gone a bit too far, and began to feel embarrassed.

Just as she was feeling guilty about venting her anger unilaterally... a "gulp" sound came from her mouth.

Bell's stomach growled.

"..."

"..."

Bell, with her head down, turned red in the ears.

He timidly raised his head, and when his eyes met those of the stunned Rafia, he quickly lowered his head again.

"That...that thing just now! It's nothing, how should I put it...!?"

"Are you hungry?"

"Uh! No, that!... Yes, yes."

When asked, Bell answered in a barely audible voice.

They started chasing each other right before dinner, and judging from his expression, he probably didn't even have lunch.

Watching the boy running around in this great forest since "daytime," Lefia sighed softly.

Let's call a truce for now.

She glanced around for food, but couldn't find any fruit. Checking her clothes... Lefia rummaged through her combat suit and found something in the inside chest pocket.

It was a crystal candy that Ais had given her two days ago.

(Ugh...)

She frowned as she looked at the teardrop-shaped fruit in her palm.

Lefia looked down at the blue and white light, the medal that had saved the girl she admired... She sighed again.

Lefia gave one of the two to Bell.

"Here you go."

“Eh…?”

"Aren't you hungry? Although it might not be very filling... please eat it."

Bell seemed flustered when he heard Lefia turn her face away and say something.

He seemed both confused and guilty... He looked at Rafia and the crystal candy she had given him, alternating between them.

"But, this..."

"It's alright! Please eat it!"

"Okay, okay!?"

Lefia realized she was starting to feel shy.

To hide her increasingly flushed cheeks, Rafia said loudly:

"Let me make this clear first, this crystal candy is extremely precious, so you'd better savor it! It would sell for 30,000 fali on Earth!"

"This...this one costs 30,000 falies...!?"

More expensive than my equipment...!? Bell trembled.

Oh, I forgot to mention the price of the bottled version. Rafia couldn't help but break out in a sweat.

The boy's hesitant way of eating the candy made Lefia look embarrassed, and she also put the blue and white fruit in her mouth.

Later, the two of them sat down by the tree roots, wanting to rest their bodies for a while.

The forest remained as dark as ever.

Several large trees overlapped, almost obscuring the ceiling of the building. Perhaps because it was "night," there was a chill in the forest. Blue crystals nestled against the tree trunks, emitting a faint glow; the magic stone lamp placed between Lefia and Bell illuminated their profiles.

Lefia and the others stood with their backs to the big tree, facing forward, without exchanging a single word.

The two of them had candy in their mouths, creating an atmosphere that made it somewhat uneasy.

The slight distance between them accurately reflects the nature of their relationship.

"—Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh..."

""Alas!""

Suddenly, a roar came from somewhere.

Lefia and Bell's shoulders jolted simultaneously.

Hearing the monster's distant howl made the two look up at the sky, then they looked at each other in bewilderment.

(It would be dangerous for two people to be alone in such a deep forest...!)

This wasn't the time for leisurely rest. Lefia only realized this now.

The forest at night is dangerous, at least for the two of them, it is not a safe place to spend the night without worry.

After finishing the crystal candy, Lefia stood up on the spot.

"We need to find a way back to camp; it's dangerous to stay here."

“Okay, okay!”

Bell quickly stood up as well and nodded obediently.

Glancing sideways at him holding the magic stone lamp, Lefia re-examined Zhou Yuan.

Not only were there dense trees on all sides, but also overhead. Even at night, it would be difficult to find the inn town (Rivera) or the Loki Familia's campsite—the direction illuminated by the magic stone lamps.

(If I unleash my "magic," Miss Ais and the others will definitely notice, but...)

All you need to do is unleash a spectacular barrage of fireworks directly overhead with a "bang!" and then wait quietly; those reliable Level 1 adventurers will surely arrive.

But that would be...too embarrassing.

It's incredibly shameful to get lost and then call on your faction members for help, especially since Lefia still has a tiny bit of dignity.

Although I'm reluctant to admit it, I have a part of my own fault in this situation.

They have to figure out how to get back to the campsite on their own.

(Yeah, I need to be strong...)

Lefia stole a glance at the boy who was holding the magic stone lamp and looking around.

One is Bell, a level 2, third-level adventurer.

The other is Lefia, who is a higher-level Lv.3, and is both a high-ranking mage and a second-level adventurer.

In terms of ability (ability score) and experience, one should always prioritize oneself.

"Excuse me... how old are you?"

"Huh? Uh... Fourteen."

Sure enough, he was younger than me, and I was a year older than him, so he was my elder.

Now she had to find a solution herself. Rafia rallied her spirits.