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

The sudden, earth-shattering scream made Tiona's expression change instantly, but Bert ignored her and walked over.

"Alright, quiet down, okay? Now, answer my question. What are you doing? Were you attacked by a swarm of killer ants or something, and abandoned your companions to escape?"

"What did you say...!"

"Hey, forget it."

"...I'd rather encounter a hundred killer ants than that."

Upon hearing the man's final, dismissive remark, Bert raised his eyebrows in surprise.

He gestured with his eyes, asking what they meant. After the adventurers exchanged bewildered glances, the human who appeared to be the captain finally managed to squeeze out a reply:

"...We've encountered it, the Minotaur."

"……what?"

"I mean, the Minotaur! That bull-like monster is wandering around here in the upper levels!"

Bert blinked several times at the sight of the other person's horrified face, then abruptly turned around.

Finn and his companions, who had been silently observing the conversation between Bert and the adventurer, also showed surprise on their faces.

Ais's right hand also trembled slightly, unnoticed by anyone.

"Hey, could it be... that Minotaur we let go last time?"

"Impossible? I remember it was all taken care of."

"Besides, even if we missed it, it doesn't make sense. It's been a month since that expedition! If a monster like the Minotaur were to linger in the upper levels, adventurers below level three would definitely suffer serious harm. I've never heard of such a rumor."

"...Excuse me. Could you please tell us in detail what you saw?"

"Uh, okay..."

Looking up at Finn with a resolute expression, the opposing captain began to stammer as he spoke.

As usual, they ventured into the underground city, but deep within a long, one-way passage leading to the cavern, they caught a glimpse of the Minotaur and the white-haired boy.

Soon they heard what sounded like the boy's shouts, and the Minotaur's distant roar, which frightened them so much that they hurriedly fled to this floor.

Moreover, that Minotaur was equipped with an adventurer's greatsword.

"A greatsword—?"

"Isn't it 'Landform, the Labyrinth's Armory'?"

"No, no, I didn't see wrong..."

"...Before today, had you heard any sightings of the Minotaur?"

"No, no, you'd be wrong!"

"Commander..."

"Hmm, things are getting more and more suspicious."

After hearing the details, the Loki Familia confirmed that the Minotaur was not one they had missed, which deepened their suspicions about the incident.

Including Finn, those with keen intuition began to suspect that this might be a prank by a wicked god.

At the very least, it can be inferred that this situation is related to some deity. There is no other explanation for this.

Finn and his advance party came to a complete halt.

"Where did you see that Minotaur?"

One of the blonde girls took action.

She approached an adventurer and asked calmly.

"Huh?"

"On which floor was the adventurer attacked?"

"The 9th floor... if they haven't moved yet..."

Before she could finish speaking, Ais had already dashed off.

We sped along the path the adventurers had taken, like a gust of wind.

"Ais!"

"What are you doing?!"

"Hey, wait a minute, we're on an expedition right now!"

"...Finn."

"Yes, I understand... The team will continue! As planned, proceed to the 18th floor using the shortest route! Raul, you are now in command of the team!"

“Yes, yes!”

"Commander... are you going to go with me?"

"This situation has me very interested. I want to see it for myself. So, are you planning to stay, Rivera?"

"...If Finn also finds it suspicious, then it's definitely true. Okay, I'll go check it out too."

"Hahaha."

The members of the Loki Familia and the Hephaestus Familia were left looking completely bewildered.

Each of the first-level adventurers had their own motivations and rushed to the 9th floor.

◇

Grandfather's face.

I suddenly really want to see my grandfather.

Having no father or mother, I was truly raised by my adoptive parents.

He always has a wrinkled face and chuckles, often saying things like, "I really want to help cute girls and get closer to them—", "Having beautiful girls by your side is a man's romance—", "What's wrong with being a playboy?" or "Ah, but I don't want only yandere characters, okay?" Although he sometimes says some inexplicable things, he is really a cheerful person.

My grandfather knew many anecdotes about heroes, as if he had witnessed them with his own eyes, and he often told them to me.

It wasn't until some time after my grandfather passed away that I learned the picture book I received for my birthday was drawn by him.

—They must be really amazing.

—Even if the opponent is stronger than you, you dare to fight them alone.

—If it were me, I absolutely couldn't do it.

My grandfather would always say that he couldn't do those things, while happily praising those heroes.

However, he said that it was a lie to say that he couldn't be like a hero.

My grandfather was very handsome.

When I was a child, I was almost killed by goblins. He arrived faster than anyone else, like lightning, and beat the monsters with a hoe in both hands.

His body, usually hidden beneath his outer clothing, is as strong as a warrior's.

The log-like arms prevented the monsters from getting close.

Big, big hands picked up my small body.

Now, looking back...

My first hero was my grandfather.

If things go wrong, run away.

When scared, they run away.

Call for help when your life is in danger.

Apologize quickly when a woman is about to lose her temper.

Even if you are looked down upon or pointed at, it is not shameful.

The most shameful thing is to be indecisive and hesitant to move forward.

That's what my grandfather always said.

After my grandfather left me, only his teachings have stayed with me, and they helped me make a great decision.

His words transported me to Orario.

I suddenly really want to see my grandfather.

"Ooh o ...

grandfather.

I can't move right now.

"...Ugh, ah."

The Minotaur raised its head and spat out large drops of saliva.

The monster standing in the distance seemed to be boasting of its existence, brandishing a greatsword and roaring.

His body, which was like heavy armor, showed no signs of serious injury. The wounds were all limited to the surface of his skin.

Faced with the reality that magic is ineffective against the enemy, a sense of powerlessness overwhelms him.

The phrase "I can't win" kept echoing in my mind.

I can't muster the strength.

My knees, which I had finally managed to stand up, felt like they might break at any moment.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...!"

"...!"

The sharp gaze directed at me sent a chill down my spine.

The resulting icy current reawakened the fear, but instead, it also instantly dispelled the overwhelming feeling of exhaustion.

Beyond my conscious awareness, instinct was beginning to struggle for survival.

If I stand still like this, I'll be killed.

Lily and I will both be killed.

I have to take action...!

I gripped my hand tightly with all my might.

"Ugh ugh ...

—Don't let yourself be forced to the wall!

Seeing the Minotaur approaching, I immediately moved from my position.

If you're facing away from the wall, that giant monster will block your escape route in no time.

I ran in the opposite direction from where Lily was, prioritizing getting back to open ground.

The Minotaur, which was moving straight towards me, made a sharp turn as soon as it saw me move, and chased after me, pounding the ground with its stomping.

A rapid approach from the side.

Within its trembling eyes, the ferocious bull's face grew larger and larger!

"Mmm!"

"—Ugh!"

The Minotaur kicked off with its foot.

As my opponent lunged forward and brought down his greatsword, I pushed off the ground with both feet and leaped into the air.

Faced with an attack coming from the side, I dodged by leaping headfirst into the air.

Almost at the same time, I heard a cracking sound right behind my neck. I shuddered, but still rolled forward on the ground and stood up.

Make an emergency turn, then reverse.

The cracks in the ground before my eyes sent a chill down my spine, and I desperately tried to distance myself from the Minotaur, which was staring at me with arrogance.

"Bua ...

The moment the strong calves stepped onto the floor, the distance between friend and foe shrank to zero in an instant.