Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 31. The Hero and the Fox

"If you seek comfort, I shall—"

She froze.

Her gaze locked onto his collarbone, and the color drained from her face. In the next moment, her body gave way, and she collapsed.

Bell barely managed to catch her.

—

When Haruhime stirred, she awoke to the sight of Bell sitting nearby, watching over her with concern. The tension in her body eased as she realized he hadn't laid a hand on her.

"You're not... a customer?" she asked, voice hoarse.

Bell shook his head. "No. I ended up here by accident. I was trying to find a way out of the pleasure quarter."

A moment of silence passed between them before Haruhime let out a soft breath, something between a chuckle and a sigh.

"In that case, would you grant me one request?" she asked. "Stay with me until dawn. Speak with me... just for a while."

Bell hesitated, then nodded.

And so, they talked.

He spoke of his journey as an adventurer—the reason he wielded a blade, the dreams that propelled him forward. In turn, Haruhime revealed the tragedy of her past, how she had been taken from her homeland in the Far East and sold into this wretched place.

When Bell mentioned Dungeon Oratoria, Haruhime's ears perked up.

"You've read it?" she asked, eyes wide with an excitement he had not yet seen in her.

"Many times," Bell admitted.

A spark of joy flared between them as they delved into the tales of heroes and legends. Haruhime recounted her favorite passages, her voice laced with wistfulness.

"If only... a hero would appear for me," she whispered.

Her smile was gentle, but the weight behind it was crushing.

Bell clenched his fists. He didn't need to hear more to know—Haruhime didn't belong here. She didn't want to be here.

He made up his mind.

—

As the first light of dawn painted the sky, Haruhime led Bell to a hidden passageway beneath the brothel, its path winding toward Daedalus Street.

"This is where we part ways," she said softly. "I hope you find your way home safely, Bell."

He didn't move.

Instead, he met her gaze and, with quiet resolve, declared, "I'm going to save you."

Haruhime stiffened, her ears twitching in disbelief. "Save me...? Bell, you don't understand—I am not someone who—"

"That's not true."

His words cut through her doubt like a blade.

Before she could protest further, shadows coiled at Bell's feet, rising like living specters. From their depths emerged two figures—imposing, armored, their very presence exuding an aura of unwavering loyalty.

Haruhime took a step back, eyes wide. "What... What is this?"

Bell glanced at his summoned warriors. "My trusted soldiers."

A storm of emotions flickered across Haruhime's face—fear, hope, uncertainty. Her lips trembled as she lowered her gaze.

"No... Bell, please forgive me," she whispered.

Her voice was filled with something unspoken, something Bell could not yet grasp.

And far away, in the grand halls of the Ishtar Familia, a goddess watched.

A wicked smile curved Ishtar's lips as she lounged on her throne, a knowing gleam in her eyes.

"If Freya cherishes him so dearly," she mused, "then perhaps it's time I take him for myself."

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Next: Price of a Hero

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AUTHORS NOTE: 6/8/25

Guys...I can't even lie. Keeping up with that promise is hard, really underestimated it lmao. This part was written a few weeks ago, but I've decided to just upload it, it's been wayyyy to long. 

This story is the successor to my "Shadow Monarch" story (Only story to have 100k+ reads). And it's close to surpassing it in votes!  (Don't read it, it sucks. Technically not even finished but we don't talk about that.)

 "I'm predicting that it's going to be close to 13k reads and 1,100 votes. Probably even more since it's growing so fast."

That is what I said in the last part and now the story is nearly at 60k and over 2500 votes! So thank you all! Definitely has the potential to reach and surpass 100k.

Still going to try and write this story. But Do not expect updates everyday though. 

Season 1 events was completed in 24 chapters, the story is nearly 5 hours long. So this has the potential to have over 100 chapters (especially if I end up writing filler.)