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

"Can you stand up?" A voice like magic. I stood up.

"...You don't seem to be good at defense."

"——!"

Keep hitting, keep hitting, keep hitting.

Countless slashes flew past in a crisscrossing pattern. I had nowhere to escape, and I couldn't deflect any of the attacks, being utterly routed by the scabbard. After a particularly loud series of impacts, the stone slabs thudded.

I could no longer stand up and knelt on the ground in humiliation.

His feeble, heavy breathing echoed in the dim light.

"...We first-level adventurers often say that many adventurers are misled by their [ability stats]."

“Eh…”

"Everyone relies too much on 'favors'. Ability and skill are two different things."

Miss Ais looked down at me as I began to explain, and I opened my eyes wide, which were contorted with pain.

She spoke eloquently, as if she were about to teach me everything she had learned and knew.

"Skills and tactics. You're not quite there yet."

"...!"

Even if you lose your [ability points], what will you still retain? I think... this is the only thing I can train for you.

Her eyes were slightly lowered. She paused for a moment, then stared straight at me.

"You don't seem to be very good at defense, so that's the most important lesson. During training, you must analyze my attacks and learn how to block them."

"If you just keep doing this, you'll naturally learn how to fight. That's my opinion."

"I think it should... also bring you closer to the goal you mentioned."

Miss Ais spoke slowly, but finished in one breath, and then looked directly at me, who was still in a daze.

Golden eyes, shining with sincere light, gazed into my eyes.

I was so powerless, I almost gave up, but this person was willing to wait for me to stand up.

"Can you still stand up?"

"...Please!"

She faced my vulnerability with sincerity, and I decided to accept her feelings.

Not a single moment should be wasted.

I mustered the courage to stand up, even though my knees were almost bent.

Until the distant ridgeline was ignited by sunlight, I simply endured her sword strikes.

●

The uneven rock face dominated the entire field of vision, both above, below, left, and right.

The ceiling was quite high, yet it still created a sense of confinement. The massive rocks exposed on the walls exuded a heavy, oppressive feeling from all sides. The dim, dim lighting was also a contributing factor.

The ground was unpaved, and the uneven stone path made it difficult to walk.

Caves, coal mines, tunnels.

The irregularly crisscrossing paths of this maze evoke images of hollowed-out rock formations.

"It's been a long time since I've stayed on this floor..."

Dungeon level 17.

In the tier of adventurers' territory at level 2, the strong orc Ota is exploring alone.

Rising from above the labyrinth wall, fist-sized stones burned like lanterns, illuminating his enormous body.

The equipment he was wearing was surprisingly light.

A physique exceeding two meters can easily be fitted with heavyweight full-plate armor, but the lifeline to prevent monster attacks and protect personal safety is only equipped on a few parts.

However, each component is incredibly thick and large, making it look almost like the entire body is equipped with shields. To say that this could be considered light armor is truly questionable.

The huge, sturdy backpack slung over my right shoulder was stuffed full, as if it were crammed with something.

(To be honest, I can't say for sure when I finally went down into the dungeon.)

With each step, the colossal body swayed. It wouldn't be surprising if it caused a rumbling sound once or twice, but there was absolutely no sound of footsteps; its gait had a strong sense of incoordination.

It simply always exudes an undeniable presence.

Just as he feared Ooal Gown, no monster ever appeared before him.

(...Jealousy, is that it?)

As Ota casts its net around itself, it recalls its conversation with Freya.

"Aren't you jealous?" the God asked himself.

At that time, Ota's words were absolutely true. No matter what happened, he would never doubt Freya's love and would worship her forever. The existence of the goddess Freya was like a gentle breeze caressing the earth.

Even if I reach out and yearn for her, I can never grasp her. Like a gentle breeze teasing me, I receive love; just as my fingertips manage to brush past her, she slips away again.

The wind is unfettered. It cannot be monopolized. It cannot be held back.

Most importantly, the wind needs no partner.

The wind wanders freely under the sky, and when it spots a traveler wandering the plains, it smiles and quietly approaches, gently embracing him from behind. But when the traveler turns around, it vanishes without a trace.

Yet at the same time, yes, the wind is also equal.

She will bestow cool blessings upon all who stand on the earth.

Sometimes fierce, sometimes gentle, like the north wind, sometimes like the spring breeze.

A gentle touch to the ear, and the whispering wind never ceases. Never breaks. The wind is forever.

As long as Ota and others stand on the earth, no matter where they are, they will never lose that breeze.

(...My presence here might represent the answer.)

However, what if a sky appeared that could make the wind return? What if a sky appeared that the wind could yearn for?

Standing on the earth, one can only look up and gaze upwards.

Looking up at that distant scene from below, one's own insignificance would be enough to crush one's spirit, and perhaps within that feeling lies a clear sense of envy. But envy and jealousy are two sides of the same coin.

(Immature...)

A faint, bitter smile appeared on his imposing face. Anyone who saw it would surely be quite surprised.

The fact that Ota didn't refuse Freya's order meant that he also had his own thoughts. The goddess probably saw right through him. A self-deprecating laugh echoed softly in the cave.

“…Hmm.”

Ota stopped walking.

The wild boar's ears, which protruded from the narrow iron helmet that resembled a forehead protector, reacted and twitched.

"Moo...!"

"It's here."

Its large, bloodshot eyes saw Ota standing still.

"Minotaur." A large monster with the appearance of a bull's head and a human body, and bulging muscles. Its height is equal to or slightly taller than Otto. In terms of physique, it has many similarities with him.

The reason why it stays on this floor where its aptitude is much lower than its own LV is.

That is, to capture the ferocious monster that has appeared before them.

"Waaaaahhhhhhh...!"

The Minotaur is in a state of excitement.

It probably made use of the "landform of the labyrinth," and it held a natural weapon—a stone axe.

The axe, about the size of a hand, was covered in what looked like spilled red liquid. Perhaps it had been used in combat with adventurers, or perhaps its head had been cleaved open. At first glance, there were no obvious signs of injury.

"I've won the grand prize!" O'Neal squinted his reddish-brown eyes.

He reached out and grabbed the strap, then with a thud, tossed the custom-made backpack from his shoulder to the ground. The bag, which looked like a massive building pillar, made a sound that, in addition to hitting the ground, was accompanied by the clanging of chains.

Upon seeing this action, the Minotaur's eyes widened and it began to run.

"Buggy ooh ...

It shattered the dungeon floor, sending up shards of stone. The stone axe was raised high above its head.

Even as it was directly confronted by the roar that shook the cave, Ota's expression remained unchanged.

He supported himself with his right hand, keeping it perpendicular to the ground, while his left hand hung limply at his sides. He didn't even pick up his weapon, waiting for the Minotaur to charge straight at him.

Just as the Minotaur, which was closing in on him, took a step that caused the ground to cave in, Otto slowly raised his left arm.

"Buahoooo ...

"...Very good. I've decided on you."

Okay. Complete defense.

The stone axe, swung high into the air, shattered into fragments and fell to the ground.

Otto's all-out attack was neutralized by Otto's left arm, which was equipped with a gauntlet.

Aside from the strength of his armor, what was most astonishing was the extraordinary "durability" bonus. He stood perfectly still, his massive body completely unmoved. Without even needing to engage, the boar-orc could subdue the Minotaur's charge head-on.

Like a giant tree rooted in the earth, Oota remained unmoved, even ruthlessly judging the value of the Minotaur.

Perhaps out of instinct, the Minotaur, known for its ferocity, staggered back one or two steps with fear in its eyes.

Only then did it finally realize that the creature before it was a monster far beyond its reach.

"Don't move."

"oh……!"

"Sending you onto the field like this is fine, but... let me think about it."

Minotaur stopped in his tracks when he was being stared at by those sharp eyes.

Ota's gaze fell on the stone axe that had slipped from the other's hand, and he pondered for a moment.

Finally, he reached behind his back. Every movement of his startled the Minotaur, but he ignored it, drew one of the two swords—equivalent to greatswords—crossed at his waist, and threw it to it.

"...Breastfeeding?"

"Based on what you just did, there shouldn't be any problem. Show me how to use it more flexibly."

The Minotaur made a pleasing reaction that was hard for anyone to accept, tilting its head to look at the greatsword stuck in front of it.

It looked at Otto, then at the sword, and cautiously reached out.

The fingers wrapped around the horse's hooves gripped the sword hilt tightly.

(Now that I have accepted the order, I cannot show any mercy, Goddess Freya.)

Freya said it. She wanted Omega to give the boy, Bell, a push in its own way, so that he could achieve greatness.

From that conversation, we can tell that if you want to guide yourself, there's only one pointer. She must have known this, which is why she entrusted it to Otto.

Bring the Minotaur to Bell.

The path prepared for the boy was a cruel and thorny one.

(...perhaps this was overdone as preparation.)

To date, Otto has evaluated many Minotaurs and repeatedly made selections.

This is all to transform Bell. To unleash the radiance Freya desires.

For a Level 1 adventurer, dealing with a Level 2 Minotaur is far too demanding. The sheer difference in ability goes without saying; trying to confront such an opponent head-on is practically suicidal. Yet, Oota not only wants it to be Bell's opponent, but also gives it a weapon like this.

O's behavior was malicious and almost to the point of being brutal.

He admitted that a foolish feeling had taken root deep within him. Bell was indeed a thorn in Otto's side.

Therefore, that's why he wanted Bell to disappear from Freya's sight.

To this question, O can decisively answer: No.