Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 18. Recognition

Ais stepped back, lowering her sword, her golden eyes unreadable. Then, to his surprise—

"...You've improved."

Bell's heart pounded, not just from exertion but from the rare praise.

As the session came to an end, Bell bowed his head. "Thank you, Ais. For everything."

She nodded. "Thank you as well. I hope you continue to grow stronger."

With that, their time together came to a close.

Back at the church, Bell meticulously packed his gear, ensuring everything was in order. His training with Ais was over, but his journey was far from it.

"Hestia," he said, turning to his goddess. "Tomorrow, I'll be heading into the Dungeon again."

Hestia crossed her arms, concern flickering in her expression. "Just be careful, okay?"

Bell gave a reassuring nod. He had to keep moving forward.

Meanwhile, at the Dungeon's entrance, the Loki Familia gathered as Finn Deimne addressed his comrades. His voice carried over the assembled adventurers, sharp and unwavering.

"Our objective is clear. We'll split into two teams—one under my command, the other under Gareth's. Hephaestus Familia's blacksmiths will provide support." His gaze hardened. "We regroup at Level 18 before pressing onward. Our final goal—" He paused, letting the weight of his next words settle over them. "—is to reach the unexplored 59th floor."

Murmurs rippled through the ranks. An uncharted level. A challenge beyond anything attempted before.

Elsewhere, high above the city, Ottar stood before Freya, relaying his report. The goddess of beauty listened in silence, a knowing smile playing at her lips.

"Bell Cranel..." she mused, her voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "I wonder... just how much further will you grow?"

The 9th floor of the Dungeon was eerily silent.

Bell's grip on his weapon tightened as an unshakable tension weighed down on him.

"Something's off," he muttered.

Lili shifted uneasily beside him. "Yeah... it's too quiet."

No monsters. No other adventurers. The air itself felt oppressive.

Bell swallowed, recalling this sensation—the same creeping dread he had felt before encountering that Minotaur.

And then—

A shadow loomed from the darkness.

A monstrous figure stepped forward, its single blood-red horn glistening under the dungeon's light. In its massive hands, it wielded a broadsword—one far too refined for a beast like itself.

Ottar's spare weapon...!

The Minotaur exuded raw, murderous intent.

Bell didn't hesitate. Fire surged to life in his hands.

"Firebolt!"

Flames erupted, crackling through the air. The first bolt struck dead-on, the Dungeon walls flashing in bursts of orange light.

The Minotaur roared, engulfed in fire, until—

It collapsed, completely incinerated.

Deep within the lower levels of the Dungeon, Finn's group received urgent news—reports of a rogue Minotaur rampaging across the 9th floor.

"The beast is still active?" Finn murmured, his sharp blue eyes narrowing.

More troubling, however, was the report that another adventurer might be trapped down there.

Without hesitation, a detachment of the Loki Familia set off.

Meanwhile, on the 9th floor, Bell exhaled as the charred remains of the Minotaur crumbled before him. Wisps of smoke curled from his fingertips, the lingering heat of his Firebolt still crackling in the air.

Lili, standing nearby, could hardly believe her eyes.

"You... you took it down with a single attack." She blinked, staring at the spot where the hulking monster once stood. "That's insane, Master Bell."

Bell scratched his cheek, a bit embarrassed. "I, uh... just got lucky."

Before they could continue, hurried footsteps echoed through the Dungeon's corridors. A squad of adventurers emerged from the shadows—Loki Familia.

The moment they spotted Bell and Lili standing unharmed, their tense expressions shifted to confusion.

Bete was the first to speak, his sharp gaze darting around. "Oi! What the hell happened to the Minotaur?"

Lili turned toward the group, adjusting her posture with a small, proud smirk. "Oh, that? Bell took care of it. One fireball was all it took."

Silence fell over the group.

Tiona blinked. "Wait... seriously?"

She turned to Bell, eyes wide with disbelief—then, after a moment, a grin spread across her face. "That's actually kinda awesome."

Bete, on the other hand, scoffed. "Tch. You expect me to believe that?"

But before he could argue further, Ais stepped forward. Unlike the others, she wasn't shocked—just quietly observing him with those golden eyes. Then, with a small, rare smile, she spoke.

"Nice work, Bell Cranel."

Bell felt his heart skip a beat.

It was just a few words, but from her... it meant everything.