Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 33. To Start a War

"...Haruhime?" Bell said, stunned.

The Renard looked down, ashamed, hands trembling.

"I... I was the one who cast the enchantment," she admitted quietly. "I'm sorry, Bell."

Aisha gave her a side glance. "Haruhime..."

"Why?" Bell asked, lowering his blade but not his voice. "Why are you helping them? Why are you still staying in that place?"

Haruhime didn't answer. Her hands clutched at the folds of her kimono, fingers shaking.

"You don't belong there," Bell said, stepping closer. "Mikoto... she still misses you. She came looking for you. She hasn't stopped."

At that, Haruhime flinched.

Bell's voice softened. "She was worried. Heartbroken. You mean a lot to her."

"I... I can't," Haruhime whispered. "It's not that simple. I'm a—"

"You're Haruhime," Bell cut in, firm but kind. "Not a tool. Not some object. Not a sacrifice."

Tears welled up in the Renard's eyes. Her lip trembled.

"I'm not strong like you," she whispered. "I'm not brave."

"You don't have to be," Bell said. "I'll be that for you. Just trust me."

He extended his hand, palm open, unwavering.

Haruhime stared at it, torn. Her heart pounded. For the first time in what felt like forever... someone was reaching out to her.

Her trembling hand moved slowly—toward his.

But before she could take it, voices echoed down the corridor—Ishtar Familia reinforcements.

Bell turned sharply, his soldiers readying for battle.

Haruhime froze.

"...I—I need to go," she said, backing away. "If they see me now—!"

"Haruhime!"

"I'm sorry!" she cried, turning and running into the shadows of the Dungeon.

Bell reached out—but she was already gone.

He lowered his hand, jaw set. Behind him, Igris and the others stood silently, awaiting orders.

"We're not done," Bell whispered. "I'll get her out of there. No matter what it takes."

His eyes burned—not with fury, but with resolve.

Because heroes don't turn away from someone in need.

And Haruhime... still needed saving.

Haruhime's figure disappeared into the corridor ahead. Bell watched her retreating silhouette vanish into darkness, his heart tightening with resolve. The silence between breaths was deafening.

His fist clenched.

"Igris," Bell said, his voice low but resolute. "Go. Bring her back to me."

The towering knight of shadow bowed without a word. Cloaked in swirling tendrils of living darkness, Igris turned and launched into motion, his form a blur of ethereal black vanishing into the shadows with unnatural speed. The ground barely acknowledged his footsteps—he moved like a phantom born from Bell's will.

Far ahead, Haruhime ran.

The soft padding of her feet echoed in the side tunnel, but to her, the sound was drowned beneath the roar of her heartbeat. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her chest heaving. She didn't dare stop. Not yet.