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

"...It depends on the situation. Aside from the issue of her being a combat asset, if she continues in this state, I will leave her on the surface."

Rivera, caught between the positions of vice-commander and teacher, asked him a question.

Finn shook his head and closed his eyes.

"If we take her deep into the underground city, we might very well end up killing her."

*

The back view of the father wielding a sword.

Golden eyes watched that scene unfold.

I sat in the shade of a tree in the warm sunshine, watching it with my mother.

He seemed to be shy and didn't want people to see him training, but his mother would pester him like a child, and he would always give in. His father initially looked troubled, but once he started swinging his sword, he would become completely absorbed. His mother would smile as she watched his heroic profile, while she herself would always blush and become mesmerized.

The afterimage left by the sword couldn't be fully tracked with the naked eye, but even he knew the swordsmanship was incredibly beautiful. His lower body moved with minimal effort, as fluid as waving a conductor's baton. Sometimes he would take a large step forward and turn, sending a silver arc across the air. He could recall the melody played by the blade at any time simply by closing his eyes.

In the past, she loved admiring his swordsmanship the most.

She knew her father's sword would hurt others.

I once thought the cold, ruthless gleam of a sword that summoned bloodshed was terrifying.

But it was a sword that existed to save everyone.

To put it another way, it is a sword to protect the mother.

When she learned this, her father became her pride, even her aspiration.

He was the "hero" of the little girl's dreams. He was the swordsman her mother deeply loved.

Soon after, the father, having finished his exercise, returned to the shade of the tree.

She greeted him with a beaming smile, and he smiled back, his lips parting beneath his bangs as the breeze blew.

Ais.

He called her name and handed her the sword that had been sheathed.

After hesitating for a moment with her eyes wide open, she nervously reached out with both hands to receive it.

The weight pressed heavily on her hands, but for some reason, she felt good about it.

Her father looked at her and smiled.

Ais.

The voice behind her made her turn around and see her smiling mother again.

Just as she had done to her father, the mother raised one hand, held up her index finger, and recited a passage in a certain tone.

『────』

The moment the voice was uttered, a gentle breeze enveloped her body.

The gentle breeze that tickled her made her squirm and giggle.

The mother smiled and hugged her and Qingfeng together.

"Together forever."

Me too, and so did he.

Ais nodded in response to her words, smiling and nodding repeatedly.

Surrounded by the warmth given by their parents, they are embraced by happiness.

A fine sword is always by my side, and a gentle breeze carries a smile.

—Then, the memories of the past cease.

“…………”

She woke up as she felt tears streaming down her face.

Ais sat up silently and rubbed her eyes hard on the bed. Alone in the room, the remnants of her warm dream had vanished, leaving her to confront the cold reality.

Why now...?

To allow oneself to see this kind of dream?

Ais curses herself, curses her memories, and curses the past.

Why now, when she's blocked by a high wall called "the limit" and can't forget everything to rush forward?

"..."

The view outside the window was the complete opposite of what she dreamed of—a gray morning sky. It almost perfectly reflected Ais's current state of mind.

Ais gazed at the sky for a long time, then got out of bed and quickly changed her clothes.

The dressing mirror in the corner of the room reflected the little girl's profile, devoid of a smile. It was the face of a doll, a mask for suppressed emotions.

If only it were all a dream.

The little girl in her heart murmured. It was a frail girl (Ais) curled up in the darkness, hugging her knees.

Ignoring the murmur, Ais picked up her sword.

"...I have to fight."

Because those days are gone forever.

A few days later, every day was filled with anxiety.

Even after venturing into the dungeon and slaughtering even more monsters with an even more ferocious aura than usual, she still couldn't cross that high wall. [Ability Value] The stagnant time continued to flow. Ais refused to give herself a moment to breathe, insisting on fighting. Her companions, Rivera and the others, scolded her, repeatedly and sincerely urging her to calm down. Moreover, recently they had started having other lower-ranking members team up with Ais to tackle the dungeon. Ais wildly speculated that this was a "shackle" to prevent her from losing control, causing even greater emotional turmoil to torment her.

Ais heard the sound of the flames groaning.

I heard the sound of the black flames residing in my chest flickering.

You must become stronger, much stronger, or else I (you) will—

A sickening sweat poured down his face. His heart pounded. He stood frozen before the high wall blocking his path, gradually losing his bearings; if this continued, he would become just another lost child. And the moment he stopped, a chilling sense of loneliness would overwhelm him.

The feeling of loneliness, curled up in the darkness. Abandoned by those she loved, knowing what reality is, rejected by the world, accompanied by torrential tears, she tasted a desolate impulse that drove her mad. The sorrow, masked by the fighting spirit to pursue her long-cherished wish, was about to bind her frail body. Riveria and the others, helping her forget the things, held Ais tightly in her present state.

The only solution is to find a way to overcome it. We must use our own hands to forge ahead.

Because Ais knew that no one would come to her aid.

Because she unfortunately realized that a "hero" would not appear before her.

She would rather let those horrible black flames consume her than return to the day she wept until she was utterly devastated.

Ais struggled desperately to prevent the "weak little girl (Ais)" who had parted ways with her from catching up with her.

The beloved sword, constantly bathed in the blood of monsters, refused to tell Ais anything.

*

Ais hadn't visited this place full of adventurers in a long time.

Because Grace and the others helped her negotiate the price of the spoils, and the public institutions that Ais frequently used, including the money exchange, were all located in the skyscraper facility (Tower of Babel).

The guild headquarters was packed with adventurers returning from the dungeons. The rise of "evil forces" kept many [familias] busy maintaining order, but at the same time, the guild encouraged adventurers to explore dungeons to obtain "Magic Stones" to support Orario's economy.

While carefully avoiding being bumped into by her adult companions and dodging the gazes of Riveria and the others, Ais arrived at this place alone. Her purpose was to find the secret of [Upgrade].

Ais had already sensed that Riveria and the others were hiding something regarding the sublimation of their "capacity." She also realized that they wouldn't reveal any specific methods for the "upgrade" and had no intention of teaching Ais how to do it. Presumably, some members of the Loki Familia had already silenced her, and they were all keeping their mouths shut.

Seeking advice from outsiders or fellow adventurers was one option, but Ais knew she was a resented newbie adventurer (a complete novice). She knew the other person wouldn't offer guidance on how to climb the ranks, or they'd lie to her. The latter, depending on the extent of their malice, could potentially cause serious problems. No matter how anxious she was, Ais couldn't afford to do anything foolish or careless. As an adventurer nurtured by Riveria and the others, she wouldn't allow herself to make that mistake.

Therefore, Ais, who had no connections with anyone outside the [Family], had no choice but to seek help here.

"Excuse me..."

"Yes, please speak... Oh, you are... Ais Wallenstein?"

Rose Fanet, the red-haired waitress standing at the window, was quite surprised to see such an unexpected visitor. She had assumed it was a dwarf adventurer, and just like on their first meeting, she abandoned all pretense of being a waitress.

"Long time no see. Your reputation has spread far and wide. If I had become your full-time consultant, I probably would have already received a raise... Tsk, what a pity."

"..."

"I thought you'd be defeated by the monster soon and disappear... It seems Rivera and the others have protected you very well. You're quite cared for."

Perhaps it's just her nature, Rose speaks to Ais in a very direct manner.

Rose's emphasis on efficiency (businesslike) and her somewhat aloof attitude towards adventurers may be her personal way of dealing with people as a waitress.

The red-haired beauty shrugged when she saw that Ais remained silent and expressionless throughout her conversation.

"Okay, okay, I got it. So, what's up?"

At Rose's urging, Ais brought up the main topic.

"How do I... upgrade?"

Upon hearing the question, Rose twitched one eyebrow.

Rose endured Ais's gaze as she looked up at her, while simultaneously peering into Ais's golden eyes.

I observed the inner corners of her tense, uneasy eyes, where black sparks seemed to fly.

"...If we keep exploring the dungeon, we'll probably level up eventually, right?"

"...! You're lying to me! Tell me the truth!"

"I'm not lying to you. Other adventurers really do all use this method."

Ais strode forward angrily, but Rose maintained her flippant tone.

However, she immediately changed her expression and looked down at Ais with a serious gaze.

"Besides, even if I knew... I wouldn't tell you now."

"!"

"I don't want to kill anyone."

She used this phrase to criticize the little girl who was so agitated that she couldn't wear the doll mask.

Ais bit her lip tightly.

At this time...

"Ah~, I'm finally home after a long trip! Did you miss me while I was gone, Sophie?"

"...?"

A very loud laugh came from another window.

Upon closer inspection, a man with orange-yellow hair—no, a heartthrob—was flirting with a waitress.

"I had no idea you left. I wouldn't care if you never came back."

"Ah, this cool and aloof fairy girl is amazing! So, how about we go on a date right now, Sophie!?"

"You are getting in my way. Please leave immediately. Your presence here is very in the way."

When the handsome, godlike man made a seductive invitation, the silver-haired waitress (an elf) who gave off a cold impression dealt with him with an unusually casual attitude, even appearing to be quite adept at it.

"Oh, that god is always like that. Actually, you could say all lazy gods are like that... Alright, if there's nothing else, hurry back to your Familia. I heard the Dark Faction's actions have been a bit volatile lately, so don't wander around outside alone."

After witnessing the noisy conversation, Ais was chased away by Rose. Seeing Rose begin to greet the other adventurers, Ais pursed her lips into a thin line and left the guild headquarters.

The recent overcast weather seemed to perfectly reflect the little girl's state of mind. Under the grey sky, Ais lost her last clue, and her anxiety grew ever stronger.

As she crossed the vast front yard of the "Guild Headquarters"...

"Are you the 'Doll Princess'?"

A familiar voice called her from behind.

Looking back, she saw the male god who had just embarrassed himself in public walking towards Ais.

"Long journeys have made me unfamiliar with the situation in Orario. I never expected to encounter a new adventurer like you."

The eyes, the same color as his hair, were unmistakably fixed on Ais. The handsome god-like figure ran his fingers along the brim of his travel hat, a smile spreading across his face.

The amusement-loving gods are probably about to play another trick on people. When Ais saw her crush chasing after her, she initially planned to ignore him...

Were you just talking to someone about upgrading?

These words made Ais stop in her tracks and turn back again.