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

Welf, Mikoto, Haruhime, and Hestia all gasped.

Then, they unfortunately saw it.

It reveals an unnaturally hollow forehead—lacking the redstone it should have.

"Could it be...?"

They realized what had happened to the dragon girl (Vivel) in front of them; at that very moment, the monster moved.

"————————!"

The monster let out a sharp, tearing cry and charged toward Hestia and the others.

Welf reacted quickly, crossing his broadsword and katana to form a barrier to try and block the monster, but unexpectedly...

"Hmm, ooh ooh ooh!?"

“Ugh!?”

The two were thrown into the air.

The ferocious dragon girl's charge was incredibly powerful; even two Lv. 2 adventurers couldn't completely stop her. Although her momentum was reduced, Welf and his companions still crashed into the house, making the screams of the residents on the street even louder.

"The goddess Hestia...!"

"Ugh...!? Haruhime!"

Hestia was pushed to the side of the road by Lily beside her, and when she saw the fox-man lying in front of the dragon girl, she screamed.

Haruhime, her body covered in scrapes from the aftershocks, trembled as she propped herself up, staring blankly at the monster before her.

"Winnie, sir...?"

The amber-colored eye sockets were veiled in red light.

Haruhime, who has always been closest to the dragon girl, spoke that name with certainty.

Seeing that unrecognizable appearance, her emerald green eyes filled with tears.

"Aa ...

The dragon girl, now transformed, turned around as if chasing a phantom, her long and large body seemingly shifting in the air.

The dragon's tail, as large as a demi-human body, bent with incredible elasticity, hurtling towards Haruhime, who was stuck in place and unable to move. "Lady Haruhime!" Just as the shouts of Mikoto and Hestia echoed around.

"—Winnie!"

Bell, moving as fast as the wind, rushed into their location.

"Bell!"

Bell emerged from the hole created by Vinnie, charging almost with his entire body towards the dragon's tail, only to be deflected by his armored gauntlets, changing his trajectory. The tail flew over Haruhime's head, ending in a missed attack.

Hearing Hestia and the others' astonishment and cheers, the boy revealed his back and stood in front of the fox-girl.

"Bell, sir...!"

"Miss Haruhime, please step back!"

Hearing Chunji's tearful and sorrowful cries, Bell cried out with a heart-wrenching expression.

The messenger rushed over to help Chunji, who was temporarily unable to move, and pulled her back to Hestia and the others.

(It prevented the worst-case scenario from happening, but...!)

Bell burst out of a hidden entrance to the man-made maze (Knossos) and caught up with Winnie as she made her way through the maze streets, causing destruction as she went.

However, Winnie's appearance had already been seen by many people and many eyes. Bell saw ordinary people around him trembling with fear, and his palms were sweating.

What's next? What's the right thing to do?

No—the most urgent thing is to put the red stone back into her forehead and stop her from losing control.

I must help Winnie, who is suffering, no matter what. Bell gripped the red stone in her hand tightly.

Bell and Winnie, who was unsteady on her feet due to the recoil from his own collision, faced each other.

--at this time.

A flash of light flew by.

“——————”

Behind Bell, above his head.

A flash of light appeared from the edge of her vision—a long spear with a golden tip—and struck Winnie's left hand like lightning, piercing it.

"Ah ...

Winnie, along with her pierced left hand, was pulled along by the terrifying force of the spear and slammed violently into the building.

The spear pierced deep into the ground, pinning the screaming Winnie to the spot.

The sudden situation brought Bell to a standstill for a moment.

He even forgot to breathe, rapidly scanning the scene unfolding before him.

It is likely that someone threw the spear from behind Bell with terrifying "force".

"—So, that's the reason for this commotion?"

Bell did indeed hear the whispering voice from afar.

Then—a grand cheer erupted.

『———————————————————————————————————！ ！ 』

"It worked! It worked! Aaaaaah!"

"Adventurer, sir!!"

That sound, that joy, that excitement.

It speaks of the greatness of the being behind Bell.

Hestia and the others' speechless silence hinted at who had appeared.

Bell listened to the sound of his heart.

The ears heard alarming sounds powerful enough to shake one's vision.

Thump, thump, thump! Bell was overwhelmed by his rapidly accelerating heartbeat, which sounded like a series of pounding bells, as he slowly turned his head to look behind him.

"..."

The first thing that caught my eye was a blonde, golden-eyed female swordsman wielding a sharp sword.

"It seems that it hasn't caused any harm to the residents yet."

"Oh, someone got here before us."

"Oh dear, who is that person...?"

"It's Argonaut, the little hero—!"

"That brat again..."

Next to come into view were elven royalty wielding long staffs, dwarves carrying great battle axes, Amazon sisters wielding twin swords and large double blades, and werewolves wearing metal boots.

"The Dragon Girl (Vivel)... matches the characteristics of the previous 'Winged Monster,' doesn't she?"

Finally, there was the dwarf himself who threw the spear.

Gathered atop the dense buildings, overlooking Bell and the Dragon Girl, are the city's strongest adventurers.

【Braver】Finn Dimna.

[Nine Hells] Livilia Rios Alf.

【Elgarm】Grace Landrock.

【The Great Cut (Amazon)】Tiona Schilute.

【Jormungandr】Tione Schilt.

【Vanargand】Bert Roca.

Next up is [Fiora] Ais Wallenstein.

Having completed the previous "expedition," all officers' [ability values] have reached Lv. 6.

Now they are on par with the other faction of the two giants, enjoying the throne of the next generation of heroes that will be remembered for eternity, and are the front-line team of the Labyrinth City.

The largest faction in the city: the Loki Familia.

"Was that monster related to the incident on the 18th floor? It was wearing something that looked like shackles, but was it armed?"

"That remains to be seen, but... the guild may have anticipated this situation, which is why they ordered most of their [familiars] to stand by."

"Tsk! Couldn't you have told me first?"

The conversation between the female warrior (Amazonian), the royal family (High Elf), and the werewolf was completely ignored by Bell, whose time was frozen.

That's strange, it's too fast.

This is the labyrinthine street, Daedalus Road. Even if they rushed here after hearing the commotion, the time interval was far too short. The best evidence is that no adventurers other than them have arrived here.

Could it be that I've been seen through?

Having foreseen all trends and possibilities while on standby on the ground after receiving orders?

Bell stared with trembling eyes at the dwarf warrior who still looked down at him with a leisurely air.

"Captain, that monster..."

"The red stone on my forehead is gone. It must be removed as soon as possible."

They have only one reason for staying here.

It is to eliminate monsters (beasts) that appear in the city.

The great feat that once ignited the city's frenzy seemed to be recreated at this moment, and the shouts of the residents drowned out the entire road.

The continuous cheers almost made them stagger forward. The deafening shouts of the crowd were enough to drain the color from Hestia and her companions' faces.

To the public, it symbolized the figure of an adventurer who was powerful, inspiring aspirations and hope.

To Bale now, it all seems like despair.

"What? Loki's retinue (kids) has arrived."

On the roof of the brick tower, at a particularly high point on Daedalus Road.

From this vantage point offering a panoramic view of the labyrinthine streets, Icelos and Hermes noticed the commotion and observed how things would unfold.

"I thought things were going to get interesting...looks like it's all over."

"...I think so too."

Below Hermes and his group, behind Ais and the other Level 1 adventurers, the members of the Loki Familia, below Level 2, were also lined up. Seeing the city's largest faction appear, Ikeros, believing the situation was already decided, shrugged with a sense of boredom.

"It seems that almost all of my followers (little devils) are dead... Now the matter is resolved."

"Congratulations, Hermes." Ikelos gave Hermes a flippant smile; in contrast, Hermes remained silent, merely gazing at the boy's frozen profile.

(—Miss Ais.)

As the heat continues to rise.

Bell's gaze met that of Ais, who was looking down at him.

The girl, filled with longing, only gazed at Bell.

Those golden eyes were asking:

Why are you there?

(Ooh, ah—)

In an instant, the man's (Dixie's) words came back to mind.

Bats—hypocrites.

The man mocked Bell for making a foolish choice.

The loud laughter that lingered in his ears seemed to be asking him:

What are your plans next?