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

"Buggy ooh ...

The greatsword and the double-edged axe sparked a great deal of fire.

Seeing the boy engage in an even more intense battle with the bull, the people shouted even more passionately.

"Hehehe... I wonder what Hermes is feeling right now?"

In the heart of the city, at the top floor of the White Tower (Tower of Babel).

Freya watched the fierce battle from the highest point in the city and sighed in rapt attention.

"Who ordained this destiny? Or is it merely a miracle? Either way... I must be grateful."

Thank you for this encounter.

--Thank you for that boy's encounter with the monster.

In order to enjoy this view, the goddess of beauty, who had left everything to her retinue, blushed and gently bit her bent index finger.

With burning eyes, she gazed adoringly at the transparent crystal that shone even brighter as it clashed with the fierce bull's sword.

"I never thought I'd see this deadly battle again..."

"Hey... what's going on now?"

Looking at this scene, Hermes said in a low voice.

He stood frozen on the tower, and Asif, having deactivated her "transparent state," appeared behind him.

"Hermes... things have spiraled out of control. Taking advantage of the chaos, 'Heretic' has also escaped."

After hearing the report from his family, Hermes was speechless and stared blankly at the square.

The stage he had prepared was completely destroyed, and all his plans came to naught.

Seeing her crush dejected after his plan failed, Asphie said nothing and simply observed.

Suddenly, the feathered travel hat was blown away by a gust of wind.

Hermes pressed down on his orange-yellow hair with one hand, as if to ruffle it, and groaned:

"It's all been for nothing..."

The cleverly planned scheme was ruined by the appearance of a "monster".

Hermes was first plunged into a feeling of dejection he had never experienced before, then gritted his teeth, his anger written all over his face, and stared intently at the black bull (Minotaur).

At the same time, his expression also showed joy as he looked down at the scene below.

"Ugh, damn it! Fine, I admit defeat! I never imagined this would happen!!"

Shouts and roars, cheers and prayers. Watching the fierce battle between the boy and the monster, people even forgot to run away, captivated by the genuine struggle. Hostility and disappointment were completely overturned, leaving only fervor sweeping across the scene.

Even if Hermes's scheme had succeeded, things probably wouldn't have turned out this way. It's unlikely that people's hearts could be so easily captured by the hands of the gods. This is understandable, because the boy suffered constantly, even while fighting the gargoyles and other monsters, always resisting fate.

An omniscient and omnipotent god could not possibly create a scene that surpasses this "adventure".

"So that's how it is? So that's how it is, Great God (Zeus)!? Is that what you realized, which is why you left Orario!?"

Hermione and her family gasped behind them as they watched intently at the scene that seemed to sweep away the darkness like lightning.

"You know that only those who defy God's will can shine so brightly!"

The world wants a "hero".

I long for the blade that cleaves through the ancient darkness, the light that conquers my desires, and the ugly yet sublime roar of life.

Not a puppet manipulated by God, but a being seeking to break the stagnation of the lower realm's "possibilities" that have existed for thousands of years.

I want to see a [Familia Myth] woven from pure will.

"In short... that black beast must be the 'Polaris' that troubles the myth weavers and guides their way."

"Really, in the end, I've become the clown," he thought.

Witnessing the "unknown" scene that transcended his own divine will, he was unwilling but also moved to tears.

"What can shatter the wisdom of sages, the strategies of heroes, and the intentions of gods... is pure 'power'."

Hermes swallowed his humiliation.

At the same time, he narrowed his eyes.

"Ah, what a beautiful 'love-hate' relationship..."

Witnessing the battle between the boy who holds sway over people's hearts and the monster—a scene from the Hero's Tale—the gods expressed their respect.

"...!"

Amidst the shouts and trembling of the crowd, Hestia shuddered at the sight.

She pressed her hand to her chest; through the wall of people waving their arms, she could only see that figure's back.

All that could be seen was the boy's back as he kept heading towards the dark monster.

"The goddess Hestia!"

"...Let's go! Leave this to Bell! We can't get in his way!"

Responding to Lily's call, Hestia urged everyone to escort the "heretic" who was hiding.

Taking advantage of the turbulent conflict sparked by one of their family members, the Hestia Familia steps forward to resolve their current mission.

Just as Hestia was about to lose sight of the square, she looked back one last time at the scene.

The goddess imprinted the new chapter of the story written on the boy's back into her eyes.

*

The lower realm has its merits.

Somewhere in the world, someone said...

The stories that unfold in this mortal realm, though ultimately children's tales, always bear the solemn silhouette of the gods behind them. This is a fact.

but.

Whether it's a thread hanging down from above, whispers backstage, or script alterations, there's always a group of disobedient "naughty kids."

They often cause a ruckus on stage, frequently resulting in disastrous failures and laughable moments, but sometimes they manage to overturn predetermined outcomes.

They can transform outdated operas into scenes never before seen by anyone.

"It's always the children (you) who surprise us and the world."

Somewhere in the world, someone laughed.

*

The battle between Bale and Asterios continues.

Meanwhile, everyone in Orario noticed the loud shouts coming from the labyrinth street.

It wasn't fear or screams, but boundless passion.

Residents who had been afraid and locked themselves in their homes cautiously opened their windows from upstairs or came to the rooftop terraces of high-rise buildings. They turned their gazes toward the eastern part of the city, speechless, and pointed to the large square of the maze-like street.

The enthusiasm is contagious.

Centered around gods who stretch out their shadows and dance wildly in the city.

then……

"They're changing locations!?"

Bell was sent flying into the midst of the shouting residents in the square. To avoid harming them, he slammed his foot heavily onto the stone pavement in front of the terrified crowd. The boy, relying solely on his Lv.3 ability, managed to leap into the air, and Asterios naturally gave chase.

Two thuds came from the rooftop platform, followed by the deafening crash of a double-edged axe slamming down, and then the sound of a frantic gallop.

Bell left the maze street, his eyes fixed on Asterios, and ran alongside his opponent on the rooftop.

(Where can I fight?!)

Streets, back alleys, East Street. Guild members and refugees who came onto the street stared blankly up at the two of them, gradually leaving Bell with no choice but to look at the vast space that unfolded before her—

"—Come on."

As if guided by the voice of a goddess laughing from the top floor of the giant tower, the two landed in the central square in the middle of the city.

"This—"

"[Rookie]!? And that one is...!?"

Bell and Asterios startled the countless adventurers who were defending the skyscraper (Tower of Babel), and the two engaged in battle once again.

When the adventurers saw the overwhelming presence of the black bull (Minotaur), they all turned pale and, despite their fear, tried to attack it regardless of distance; however, the bull's "howl," which it found annoying, rendered everyone below level 2 powerless.

"Don't make a move!"

"Run! Get out of here!"

The number of people still standing dwindled sharply. The few remaining Level 2 adventurers in the central square turned pale, and voices urging everyone to retreat rang out. It was a group of gods who were grinning from ear to ear.

Following the will of the god who loved entertainment (、、、、、), the adventurers dragged their companions and fled.

"Ganesha!?"

"...We'll also help the unconscious adventurer! But don't interfere, Ilta, the safety of the surrounding residents is the top priority!"

The Ganesha Familia, originally stationed to guard the skyscraper, also obeyed the instructions of the main god, prioritizing the rescue of lives. The red-haired female warrior (Ilta) clicked her tongue, and with her at the center, the high-ranking adventurers did their best to carry out the rescue operation.

The gods considered the intervention of outsiders to be "inconsiderate" and rejected them one by one.

Bell and Asterios turned the eastern part of the central square into the final battlefield, where they engaged in fierce fighting.

“Drink aa ...

"Buzzing sounds!"

The greatsword and the double-edged axe clashed several times, producing the sounds of slashing blows.

The battlefield music seemed to draw the attention of adventurers and city dwellers alike to the central plaza. They leaped onto the faction headquarters (familia headquarters) that offered a panoramic view of the plaza, the rooftop platform of the grand theater in the Wind and Moon Street, or buildings in the city's central district, to overlook the battle.

Whenever the monster's blood splattered, the residents would tremble with fear.

Whenever the boy was thrown back, the adventurers would grab the railing and lean forward.

"Take it down!! Just attack from that side!!"

"Modo, you're so noisy!?"

The adventurers who had rushed from the labyrinthine street met here and began shouting loudly again.

"Is this all the way here?"

"That's all, thank you both!"

Some guild members reluctantly asked the adventurers for help and came here, including Eina.

With the help of Sakura and Chigusa, she rushed over and, from the shop in front of the central square, her eyes followed the boy's figure.

"…Go! Kill it!"

Orcs who defied the gods' commands to shoot arrows, elves who raised their staffs to chant, and adventurers who wanted to annihilate all the monsters in the city... In the end, they all laid down their weapons and watched intently, just like the people in the labyrinth street.

As if repeating the events of the past, they began to roar loudly.

Roar: Show your spirit as an adventurer!

"Mr. Crannie..."

Ryu arrived at the scene and watched the struggle unfold, muttering to himself softly.

"Hey...really?"

Aisha, who had come to her side, smiled.

"Whoa! What's that little boy doing...!"

"Awaaaaaah...!"

Daphne and Cassandra trembled as they watched the boy fight against the terrifying being alone.

"Little Brother Weil's companions (familia) are quite an interesting bunch~"

Chun squinted her single eye, which was not covered by an eye patch.

"Bell...you can't die, okay?"