Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 21: A Definite Improvement

As the final monster collapsed, Asfi adjusted her glasses, scanning the battlefield for any lingering threats. Satisfied, she and Ryuu pressed forward until they reached an abrupt blockade—a cave-in.

Ryuu nimbly climbed atop the pile of rubble, her sharp eyes scanning the scene. Embedded within the debris, she found shattered monster stones and discarded potion vials. She knelt, running her fingers along the dust-covered remnants.

"They were here," she murmured.

Asfi analyzed the evidence, quickly piecing together the situation. "Given their supplies and the path ahead, Bell's group is most likely heading for the safe zone on the 18th floor."

Hermes, standing behind them, nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. "Makes sense. And if I were Bell, I wouldn't stop for anything until I got there."

Hestia, who had been anxiously following the investigation, clenched her hands to her chest. She didn't need calculations or deductions—she could still feel it. Bell was alive. He was still pushing forward.

Meanwhile, deep in the Dungeon, Bell and Lili pressed onward. His shadows cut through anything that stood in their path, their momentum unstoppable.

Back at the search party, Hestia shot Hermes a sharp look. "Why are you really helping us, Hermes? You don't do anything without a reason."

The god chuckled, a glint of mischief in his golden eyes. "A certain someone asked me to, and, well... let's just say Bell has caught my interest."

Far below, Bell finally reached it—the Great Wall of Lamentation.

The exit to the 18th floor stood before him, a gateway to safety. Relief flickered in his chest, but it was short-lived.

The air trembled.

Cracks splintered across the icy ground, jagged fissures spreading outward like veins of impending doom. A deep, guttural growl rumbled from the depths of the frozen abyss, the sound reverberating through the cavern like the harbinger of an ancient nightmare. The frost-coated walls groaned in protest as the temperature plummeted further, a wave of frigid air surging outward.

Then—it emerged.

The frozen prison exploded in a maelstrom of shattered ice, sending razor-sharp shards flying in every direction. A monstrous form rose from the destruction, wreathed in steam as its titanic frame pulsed with raw energy.

Bell didn't hesitate.

"Igris, we're going in together!"

The shadow knight wordlessly obeyed. He dashed forward, a blur of death, his longsword gleaming with lethal intent.

Bell surged forward, his instincts honed sharper than ever. With a burst of explosive speed, he leaped into the air, twisting his body mid-flight. The monster roared, its clawed hand swiping at him with crushing force. Bell barely evaded it, flipping over the massive limb before bringing his dagger down in a vicious arc.

Steel bit deep.

A jagged gash tore across the creature's chest, spilling steaming ichor onto the frozen ground. The monster roared in fury, staggering backward as Bell landed with fluid precision. He didn't stop. With relentless momentum, he thrust his hand forward—

"Firebolt!"

A torrent of flames surged from his palm, the white-hot blaze streaking into the open wound. The explosion rocked the cavern, embers scattering like dying stars. The beast reared back in agony, its cry of pain a cacophony of rage and defiance.

Igris struck.

A phantom of darkness, he danced through the chaos with inhuman speed. His longsword cleaved through the air—once, twice—a blur of precise, merciless cuts. The first strike severed the beast's left arm at the shoulder, spraying frost-tainted blood across the battlefield. The second blow sliced through its core, the blade embedding deep within its ribcage.

The monster froze, its body trembling violently.

Then—the silence shattered.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion erupted from within. Flames burst from every wound as the beast imploded, consumed by the unrelenting force of Bell's magic. Its body crumbled into cinders, fragments of burning ice scattering into the abyss.

Bell stood at the center of the inferno, his crimson eyes glowing through the dissipating embers.

Unshaken. Unstoppable.

At last, the path to the 18th floor lay open before him.

Bell grins, Lili exhales, both stepping through the dissipating remains, finally reaching the 18th floor.

Ais stood there, watching.

Golden eyes wide, lips slightly parted.

Bell was surrounded by shadowy humanoid figures, a presence unlike anything she had seen before.

Ais watched in quiet fascination as the dark, armored figures melted into Bell's shadow, vanishing as though they had never existed. There was no doubt—these creatures belonged to him, obeyed him without question. It was a sight both strange and awe-inspiring, and she couldn't help but feel a small flicker of admiration.

Lili, standing beside Bell, was far less composed. "That was amazing, Bell! You looked so cool taking down that boss like it was nothing!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, hands clenched into fists.

Bell chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "I-I don't know about 'cool,' but... thanks, Lili."

Ais took a step forward. "That power... those creatures," she said, her golden eyes meeting his. "What are they?"

Bell turned toward her, momentarily startled before letting out a small laugh. "Ah, right. You haven't seen them before." He glanced down at his shadow, watching as it rippled slightly beneath him. "They're my soldiers. Something I recently learned to do."

His voice was steady, lacking the nervous stammer he usually had around her. Though a faint blush dusted his cheeks, he held himself better than before—a definite improvement.

Ais nodded, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer. There was something different about him. Stronger. More composed. He wasn't the same boy who had once trembled in front of her.

And for some reason... that made her feel proud.

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Next: A City In A Dungeon