Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 27. Challenge Accepted

Elsewhere, Ais listened as Tiona relayed the same news, her expression unreadable. Finn, standing nearby, cast her a wary glance.

"This isn't like the other times," he warned. "If you interfere recklessly—"

"I know," Ais cut in softly. Her golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable, but she said no more.

Meanwhile, Bell and Hestia were still on the run, weaving through Orario's labyrinthine alleys with relentless pursuers hot on their heels. The Apollo Familia's numbers swelled, but they weren't the only ones in the hunt. A new group emerged—members of the Soma Familia.

Bell gritted his teeth. They're after Lili, no doubt. But he had no time to hesitate.

With precise movements, he cut through the attackers, his blade flashing as the Soma adventurers fell one by one. Their resistance barely lasted seconds. But just as he turned to keep running, a familiar voice rang out.

"You've made it quite far, I'll give you that."

Bell's muscles tensed. Standing ahead, blocking his path, was Hyakinthos Clio—his smug grin framed by the flickering light of nearby lanterns.

"I suppose you've earned a reward," the Apollo captain continued, unsheathing his weapon. "I'll deal with you myself."

Bell met his gaze with unshaken confidence. "You don't stand a chance against me."

A vein throbbed in Hyakinthos' forehead. His smirk twitched, eyes burning with barely contained fury.

"Come forth—Baruka."

The moment Bell uttered Baruka's name, the air grew frigid. Shadows coalesced beside him, solidifying into the silent, imposing form of the Elite Knight.

A shadow elf clad in darkness, his presence exuding an eerie chill. Ice daggers glinted in his hands as he bared his teeth in a sinister grin.

"He's your target," Bell instructed, voice steady. "Don't kill him."

Baruka's grin widened.

Hyakinthos clicked his tongue, his frustration bubbling over. "What the hell—"

Baruka moved.

Before Hyakinthos could finish his sentence, Baruka was already upon him. The first strike came as a blur—an upward slash aimed directly at his throat. Hyakinthos barely managed to twist away, but the cold bite of the dagger still grazed his cheek, leaving behind a thin, frost-kissed wound.

"Fast—!" Hyakinthos barely had time to react before Baruka struck again. A flurry of precise, calculated slashes forced him onto the defensive, each strike dangerously close to cutting him open. His instincts screamed at him—he wasn't fighting a mere assassin. This was a warrior honed for battle.

Gritting his teeth, Hyakinthos retaliated, his magic flaring. "Fulgur Lance!" A golden spear of light erupted from his palm, surging toward Baruka. But the knight twisted his body at the last second, the spell barely scraping past his armor. His counter was immediate. With inhuman agility, he closed the gap, driving a knee into Hyakinthos' ribs.

A choked gasp escaped the Apollo Familia's captain as he staggered back, pain flaring through his torso. Baruka didn't let up. His daggers flashed in the dim light as he pressed the assault. A sharp cut across Hyakinthos' forearm numbed his fingers. Another sliced through the fabric of his tunic, chilling his skin as frost spread from the wound.

Desperation flared in Hyakinthos' eyes. He gathered mana, preparing another spell—but Baruka was already a step ahead. In one swift motion, he drove an elbow into Hyakinthos' sternum, sending him sprawling to the ground. The impact knocked the wind from his lungs, his vision momentarily blurring.