Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 10. Deception and Trust

The monster howled in agony, clutching its face.

[Skill: 'Bloodlust' has been activated]

This skill was given to him by one of the magic boxes from doing the daily quests.

The orc shook in fear, paralyzed.

Bell seized the opening, bursting forward with explosive speed. His blade sliced through flesh and bone, cutting the creature down in one fluid motion.

Thud.

The Orc's massive body collapsed, motionless.

Lili exhaled, lowering her crossbow. "You're really something, Mister Bell..."

—

By the end of their excursion, their earnings totaled a staggering 78,000 Valis.

Bell stretched, satisfied. "Alright, let's split it evenly."

Lili stared at him as if he'd grown a second head. "Huh? But... you did most of the fighting."

Bell simply smiled. "I wouldn't have made this much without your help. So it's fair."

Lili clutched the pouch of Valis, something stirring in her chest. She had worked with adventurers before—but none had ever treated her as an equal.

For the first time in a long while, she felt something unfamiliar.

Trust.

Maybe... just maybe, Bell Cranel was different.

—

Elsewhere in Orario, a disgruntled adventurer from the Soma Familia scowled at the meager stack of Valis in his hands. "This is it? After all that work?" he muttered, his frustration evident as he grumbled about the Familia's brutal demands.

Not far from him, Misha and Eina observed from the Guild's reception desk, speaking in hushed tones.

"Another one complaining about Soma's cut," Misha noted, twirling a pen between her fingers.

Eina sighed. "It's a wonder anyone stays in that Familia. They're all desperate, trapped in his spell."

Meanwhile, high above the city in her opulent domain, Freya watched with an amused smile, her silver eyes gleaming with intrigue.

"Bell Cranel..." she mused, fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. "I think it's time we played a little more."

—

The next morning, Bell was greeted by a groan as he stepped into the Hestia Familia home.

Hestia lay sprawled out on the couch, clutching her head in agony.

"Ugh... never let me drink that much again..."

Bell chuckled, kneeling beside her with a glass of water. "Here, this should help."

She peeked at him through one eye, frowning. "Tch... you're way too nice, you know that?"

Bell smiled. It was rare to see his goddess so vulnerable—she had always been the one supporting him, yet now, she could barely lift her head.

Maybe it was time to repay some of that kindness.

"Actually, Hestia-sama," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I was thinking... how about I treat you to a meal? You know, to thank you for everything."

Hestia immediately snapped upright, hangover forgotten.

"A-A date?!"

"Eh?! N-No, I didn't mean—"

"Yes!" She sprang to her feet, suddenly full of energy. "Let's go today! Right now! I'll go get ready!"

Bell blinked as she dashed off, leaving a trail of excitement in her wake.

Within the hour, she had set the time and location for their meeting, her enthusiasm bordering on dangerous levels.

—

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Bell stood at their designated meeting spot, idly watching the bustling streets.

Hestia was late.

He shifted on his feet, wondering if he should go look for her—

Then, chaos erupted.

A wave of goddesses stormed toward him from the nearby bathhouse, their eyes sparkling with mischief and curiosity.

"Huh?! What's going on?!"

A voluptuous woman with golden locks and a warm smile stepped forward.

"My apologies," Demeter said, pressing her hands together. "I couldn't resist following Hestia to see just who she was meeting~"

Before Bell could react, his face found itself buried in an unexpected—yet incredibly soft—place.

The warmth. The scent of fresh wheat.

...Oh.

"Oh-ho?" One of the goddesses grinned. "Demeter's taking the lead!"

Hestia's voice pierced through the commotion like a war cry.

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY BELL!"

Grabbing his wrist, she yanked him away, dragging him into a full sprint.

The goddesses, now in pursuit, erupted into laughter as they gave chase.

"Run, Bell! Run like your life depends on it!"

"Why does this always happen to me?!"

Through the twisting alleyways and crowded plazas of Orario, the duo zigzagged and dodged, barely staying ahead of the relentless pursuit.

After what felt like an eternity, they dove into the bell tower, pressing themselves against the stone walls as they caught their breath.

Silence.

Then, laughter.

"Wow..." Hestia murmured, glancing past him.

Bell followed her gaze.

The Babel Tower stood in the distance, illuminated by the moon's glow, a beacon of wonder and ambition.

Hestia smiled. "Let's come back here someday. Just the two of us."

Bell nodded. That didn't sound so bad.

—

Elsewhere, Lili clutched her empty pouch, her fists trembling.

"Canoe..." she gritted her teeth, glaring at the smug adventurer before her.

Her so-called Familia 'comrade' had just stolen her earnings, his cruel smirk making it clear she had no say in the matter.

"Get me Bell Cranel's knives," he ordered, flipping a coin between his fingers. "Or things might get worse for you."

Lili exhaled slowly, forcing a smile.

"Sure... I'll get it back," she lied.

She knew it was impossible. Bell wasn't that careless anymore. Besides, it was quite literally impossible.

But right now, she needs to survive.

Even if it meant deceiving herself.

---

Next: The Exploited

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3/1/25 - The next 10 chapters are written.