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

As I was feeling overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sights of Orario, the gods murmured in solitude.

Several shops with their doors tightly shut passed by on the edge of our view as we headed towards West Street. Once on the main street, there were finally more pedestrians, but they were mostly guild members we wouldn't normally see, and adventurers acting as guards. They were probably searching for monsters or on patrol.

This place, too, lacks vitality... Instead, a tense atmosphere pervades the air.

"……Hello."

"Look at that person."

Then, the crowd began to look at them with hostility.

Of course, it's not directed at others, it's directed at me.

"[Rookie]...I heard he got in the way of the [Loki Familia]."

"It's all that guy's fault, he caused the Loki Familia to fail to capture any monsters."

"In the end, all adventurers are the same."

"Hey, don't lump us in with those kinds of people. At least we know how to read the room."

Various sounds kept bothering my ears.

Even without relying on [ability points] to enhance my hearing, I could clearly hear the whispers around me. As I walked down the street, many ordinary people, businessmen, and fellow travelers stared at my profile with disdain.

I could feel my face growing colder and colder... gradually becoming bloodless.

Just like the feeling I experienced in that maze-like street under the setting sun, I was surrounded by the condemnation of the crowd.

"They say it's for making money... but I think they're actually protecting monsters, aren't they?"

"Is it a 'monster fetish'?"

Seeing my actions in protecting the hideous dragon girl, a few even used the most derogatory term in the lower realms—"monstrous fetish"—to describe me. These words of contempt pierced my heart.

I was already prepared for this, and I had to accept it all. I tried my best to endure it, but at the same time, I sensed something.

It felt like all the blame was being directed at me.

I've heard that the entire Ikelos Familia has been wiped out, and even the god Ikelos, the chief deity, has been banished from the city. In this city shrouded in unease and fear, I've become a scapegoat... the perfect target for all sorts of criticism.

"An enemy of humanity".

The words gradually took on a sense of reality, making my fingertips cold and stiff.

As I desperately tried to hold back my breath and prevent my breathing from trembling—the immortal turned around.

"Just say what you want to say!"

Then she stretched out her finger forcefully, pointing at the crowd.

The others and I were all taken aback by the goddess's sudden behavior.

"Bell was only acting so stubbornly to pay off my debts! Yes, in other words, it was the result of Bell's deep love for me! Blame it on my own sins!!"

The deity deliberately emphasized the "debt," making this pronouncement to the astonished crowd. There also seemed to be a slight emphasis on the "love" aspect...

Seeing the goddess confidently pressing one hand against her ample breasts, the surrounding crowd whispered among themselves:

"Loli Goddess..." "It's the Loli Goddess."

"So the 200 million Faris debt was real after all..."

"It's practically a natural disaster." "The curse of the Loli Goddess..."

"If the main beam of the deity is crooked, then its retinue will also be crooked..."

"Ughhhhhhh!! What did you say?!"

Hearing the whispered sneers, the enraged deity raised his hands and waved them wildly.

I hurriedly tried to dissuade the deity, and noticed that the originally malevolent atmosphere had been glossed over.

The gods protected me, and they lied for my sake.

Only now do I understand what the deity meant by "bodyguard." It was the goddess acting as a buffer, making it difficult for the mortals to openly criticize me.

Instead, the goddess Hestia, who protected her family, has now become a source of resentment.

I was dejected.

"God, I'm so sorry... It's all my fault—"

...It's all my fault that the gods got into trouble. He was interrupted halfway through his sentence.

Because the deity turned around, looked up at me, and smiled at my flustered state.

"Bell, let's hold hands."

After saying that, the fairy took my hand.

She pulled me along, and we continued walking forward.

"Gods, immortals, that..."

"Although this is rather improper, I'm actually quite happy. Because lately, I haven't had to take care of Belle, so I can finally salvage the goddess's reputation!"

She patted my shoulder, speaking in a deliberately joking tone.

A fairy was holding my hand. Normally, I would have felt embarrassed, but... right now, I just felt incredibly pathetic. I caused her trouble and then made her protect me; it made me feel utterly worthless.

At the same time, I couldn't help but feel happy.

I really shouldn't have relied on her gentleness... but feeling the warmth of that hand, I still held it.

I simply squeezed her hand back slightly.

The condemning gazes of the people remain.

But compared to before, I don't feel as cold anymore.

"…Immortal, may I take a detour?"

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

I first spoke to the deity, and then headed to a building next to the main street.

It was a stone tavern that still seemed particularly large in the middle of the western avenue, known as "The Abundant Mistress".

"This is the tavern that Belle said often patronized you? Yes, this is my first time here."

"Oh, is that so?"

Even under these circumstances, "The Abundant Mistress" continued to operate as usual.

I walked to the vicinity of the store entrance, and a shop assistant seemed to notice me and came outside.

"Miss Ryu..."

"..."

A beautiful young fairy gazed at my face.

She helped me during the mission on the 18th floor. I wanted to thank her in person, but when I faced her, I became speechless.

Because I felt a deep fear... that Miss Ryu might be just like the people on the street.

Seeing that I hesitated to speak, Miss Liu sighed softly and walked down the stairs in front of the shop.

"Mr. Crannie, I will not look down on you because of the rumors I've heard on the street."

"!"

"I believe what I have seen with my own eyes so far."

Miss Liu only gave a faint smile, as if she was considerate of my feelings.

Hearing the incorruptible spirit say this, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, and tears almost welled up in my eyes.

"And the goddess Hestia, it's been a long time." Hearing Miss Ryu's greeting, the fairy also said, "Hello, fairy lady." She happily raised her hand.

"Uh... Miss Ryu, thank you for helping me on the 18th floor."

"No, don't worry about it."

I quickly wiped my eyes and thanked her, then glanced at Ms. Ryu's body.

"Um, are you alright? I heard many members of the expeditionary force were seriously injured..."

Through Lily's account, I learned that the Ganesha Familia extermination team that went on the mission was almost completely wiped out, and that Ms. Ryu had also joined the battle against the "heretics." Hearing my concern, she replied, "As you can see, I'm fine, my injuries have all healed."

Miss Liu paused here, first saying "However," and then said:

"I encountered a 'monster'."

She seemed to recall the tremor of that time, her sky-blue eyes narrowing.

"That 'monster'... a single black bull (Minotaur) defeated both the Ganesha Familia and us."

Miss Liu's words made me forget to breathe.

Could the black bull (Minotaur) be the new member of the "heretics" Mr. Reed mentioned in the secret? I haven't seen him yet...

The immortal listening nearby seemed to recall something, and pursed his lips. Lily and Miss Fate had indeed both mentioned it.

They said there was a powerful "heretic"—a "monster"—whose problems even Loki's Familia found difficult to deal with.

"I heard that the black bull (Minotaur) has appeared on the surface, and so have you. How did you end up on Daedalus Road when you were originally on the 18th floor? I have many questions for you."

"...!"

"But now is probably not the time to talk about these things. Let's ask later."

Miss Ryu must have many questions about the whole incident, the armed monster, and my connection to it all. But seeing the surrounding situation and my expression, she didn't press me. Actually, I also really wanted to ask about the key (orb) to that artificial maze... but I'll hold off for now.

"By the way, Miss Seele, she..."

"Seele recently took leave, saying she had something to do."

"I see," I said, glancing behind Ms. Ryu.

Inside the shop, you could see the cat people, Miss Chloe and Miss Anya, constantly shouting, "Young man, cats want to ask questions, meow—!" "Are those rumors true, meow—!?" They were eager to join in the gossip. "Don't meddle, you two silly cats!" said Miss Lunova, a human, forcefully stopping them.

"...Then we'll be going, Ms. Ryu. Thank you so much."

I was bothered by the stares of the people around us and wanted to leave as soon as possible. I couldn't let this tavern get involved.

As I hurriedly tried to leave, Miss Liu spoke to me from behind:

"Mr. Crannie, please persevere. Although I don't understand your intentions... if this is the result of your decision, you must not give in."

I was startled and turned to look at her.

She upheld justice under the banner of the Astrea Familia, and even ended up on the blacklist. Her words resonated with me, echoing in my heart.

After exchanging glances and bowing, I finally left the "abundant mistress" with the immortals.

"...Bell, what's the next step? Is there anywhere we can gather information?"

After walking for a while, the deity asked me. To be honest, I had nowhere to go. Not to mention where Winnie and the others were, I had no clue where to find any information.

When I encounter difficulties, I usually go to the guild, but...

—I don't believe it…!

How could I possibly believe that...!

Miss Eina's tearful expression flashed through my mind.

“!…”

I haven't seen her since; I was too ashamed to face her.

I was too cowardly to muster the courage to go to her, so I eventually deleted the option for "guild headquarters".

"immortal……"

I don't want to face this heavy feeling and lift my head.

"Please let me go to Daedalus Road..."

The deity looked astonished, but after our eyes met, he nodded in agreement.

On our way from West Street to East Street, we passed Central Park and found it surrounded by adventurers. To be precise, they surrounded the Tower of Babel.

To prevent monsters from passing through the "Great Hole," the entrance to the dungeon, the Ganesha Familia, along with adventurers from other factions and guild staff, joined forces. Even someone as skilled as Mr. Reed and his group would likely be unable to break through such tight security, and casualties were inevitable.

Among the crowds walking the streets were not only adventurers, but also many gods. Some were accompanied by party members, while others acted alone. Unlike the inhabitants of Orario, these gods seemed to genuinely enjoy their current situation. With a mindset different from ours, they appeared to be searching for the seeds of unrest. The gods, with their malevolent grins, saw me and initially looked like they wanted to cause me trouble, but fortunately, the goddess Hestia let out a low growl, "Hururururu!" which allowed me to barely escape unscathed.