Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 22: A City In A Dungeon

Only for Lili to intercept her mid-flight.

With practiced ease, the Pallum yanked Hestia back, keeping her at arm's length. "Goddess, please. Restrain yourself," Lili sighed, her voice carrying the exasperation of someone who had seen this play out one too many times.

Hestia flailed in Lili's grasp, her lips trembling. "I finally find Bell again, and you're keeping me from hugging him?! This is cruel!"

Bell smiled awkwardly. "I-It's okay, Goddess. I appreciate you coming all this way."

Before Hestia could protest further, another figure stepped into the light—Hermes. With his usual mischievous grin, he approached Bell and gave a casual wave. "Quite the reunion, huh? I figured I'd introduce you to some people who lent a hand."

Behind him, members of Takemikazuchi's Familia stepped forward, including Mikoto, who immediately dropped to her knees and bowed so deeply her forehead nearly touched the ground.

"Bell Cranel! Please, forgive us for what happened!" Mikoto's voice was filled with regret.

Bell blinked in surprise. "Mikoto, you don't have to—"

"You should be apologizing," Lili cut in, crossing her arms. "That Pass Parade nearly got us killed. You're lucky Bell's soldiers were there."

A tense silence settled over the group before Ouka, the leader of Takemikazuchi's Familia, let out a heavy sigh. "It was my decision. I take full responsibility. And I don't regret it—it was the right call at the time."

Bell looked at him for a moment before nodding. "If I didn't have my shadow soldiers... I probably would've done the same thing."

Ouka's gaze lingered on Bell, searching for any sign of resentment. Finding none, he gave a slow nod of appreciation.

With the air somewhat cleared, Hermes clapped his hands together. "Well! Since it'll take about two days for the Loki Familia to recover before tackling the Goliath on the 17th floor, why don't we all take it easy tomorrow?"

With that, the discussion came to a close, and everyone dispersed from the tent.

Later that night, Bell stood beneath the towering tree of the Under Resort, his gaze lifted toward the luminous crystal above. Its soft glow bathed the surroundings in an almost dreamlike radiance, the slow pulsations of light mimicking the ebb and flow of time itself.

As he marveled at the sight, Ais silently stepped beside him.

"The city in the Dungeon..." she said softly.

Bell turned to her, eyes widening. "You mean, there's an actual city down here?"

Ais gave a small nod. "I'll show you tomorrow."

The idea sent a thrill of excitement through Bell, his imagination already running wild. A hidden city deep within the Dungeon? What kind of place could it be?

But before he could ask anything further—

"Hold it right there!"

A sudden voice cut through the night, and a second later, Hestia wedged herself between them, her arms crossed and her expression full of exasperation. "Why am I just now hearing about this little trip of yours?"

Bell blinked, flustered. "G-Goddess?"

Hestia puffed out her cheeks, pouting. "You can't just go running off with Ais like that and leave me behind!"

Ais, as usual, remained perfectly unbothered.

Bell pushed Hestia forward, guiding her up the roadside slope as the two finally rejoined the other adventurers at the top. As they crested the hill, the sight before them stole Bell's breath away.