Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 23. Saving Hestia

A gust of wind rustled through the trees, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible presence.

Then he saw it.

A hastily scrawled note lay inside his tent, the edges crumpled as if left in a hurry.

"Your goddess is with us. If you want her back, come alone."

Bell's blood ran cold.

His grip tightened around the paper before he took off in a blur, his mind screaming a single name—Hestia.

Bell skidded to a stop at the designated meeting point, a dimly lit cavern just outside Rivira.

Mord and his band of adventurers lounged in a semi-circle, their smirks filled with smug amusement.

"So, you actually showed up," Mord sneered, gripping the hilt of his sword. "Here's the deal. We fight—one-on-one. If I win, I take everything you own. If you win... you get your goddess back."

Bell's crimson eyes burned with resolve. "Fine."

Mord grinned, slamming his blade into the ground, shattering a nearby crystal with the force. Shards exploded outward in a deadly spray—only for Bell to effortlessly weave through them, his movements a blur.

Mord's grin faltered.

"Tch—slippery little—!"

Before he could react, Bell's opponent vanished.

Invisible.

Bell narrowed his eyes. His breath slowed.

From his shadow, a silent command was given.

A hooded mage emerged, its glowing yellow eye illuminating, the eerie gaze locked onto something unseen, the invisible Mord suddenly outlined in faint golden light.

Mord cursed. "What the hell—?!"

Bell didn't hesitate.

In an instant, he closed the distance, his fist driving into Mord's gut with bone-crushing force. The impact sent a shockwave through the surrounding area, air rushing from Mord's lungs as he doubled over in agony.

Bell didn't stop there. He twisted, his movements fluid as he launched a brutal follow-up strike to the ribs, sending Mord sprawling across the stone floor.

His lackeys stirred, alarmed by the unexpected turn of events.

"Boss—!"

They charged in for the mage.

Three shadows erupted from Bell's own, forming a line between the attackers and the mage still tracking Mord. The dark-clad infantrymen raised their weapons in silent warning.

The message was clear.

Stay back.

Bell loomed over the struggling adventurer, his breath steady despite the heat pulsing through his veins.

Mord coughed, trying to push himself up. His fingers trembled against the stone floor.

"You... bastard..."

Bell didn't respond. The fight was already over.

A distant scuffle echoed from the other side of the cavern. The guards assigned to Hestia had overheard the commotion—and rather than doing their job, they abandoned their post to join the battle.

That was all Lili needed.

Disguised as an Almiraj, her small frame moved undetected. Within moments, she reached Hestia's side, cutting through her restraints with practiced ease.

The goddess blinked, startled. "Lili—?"

"Shh," Lili whispered. "Let's get out of here before they notice."

Hestia nodded quickly, and together, they slipped away into the darkness—just as the battle reached its peak.

From a distance, Hermes observed the unfolding battle, his sharp gaze analyzing every movement. Beside him, Asfi stood with arms crossed, her expression unreadable. This was all part of Hermes' plan—a carefully orchestrated event to show Bell the other side of adventuring, a glimpse beyond his usual battles.

As the clash intensified, reinforcements arrived. The Takemikazuchi Familia stormed onto the battlefield, weapons drawn. They had witnessed the power of Bell's shadow soldiers before, but now, they fought alongside them, cutting through Mord's remaining companions with seamless coordination.

Bell, meanwhile, continued his overwhelming display of dominance against Mord. The disparity in their strength was undeniable. With a precise flick of his wrist, Bell's dual blades cleaved through Mord's sword, shattering it into useless fragments. Before the stunned adventurer could react, Bell pivoted on his heel and launched a devastating dropkick straight to Mord's face. The impact sent him sprawling, his invisibility breaking as his unconscious body collapsed onto the ground.

The moment victory was sealed, Hestia bolted toward Bell. Relief flooded her as she threw her arms around him, holding him tightly.

A deep, ominous tremor pulsed through the dungeon. The walls groaned, and cracks snaked across the ceiling, debris raining down. A sinister pressure filled the air.

Something was coming. And it wasn't friendly.

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Next: The Black Goliath