Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chaper 8. Are You Crazy?

"And this," Bell continued, drawing the blade from his side, the gleaming steel of Kasaka's Fang catching the light. "I got this during one of the toughest fights I've ever faced. It's not just a weapon—it's a part of me now."

Hestia's eyes widened in disbelief. "Monsters? Bosses? Within a 'System'? Bell... this is—this is incredible. I've never heard of anything like this. A system that guides you, that makes you stronger with every battle..."

Bell smiled, the weight of his accomplishments settling into a comfortable familiarity. "Yeah, it's kind of overwhelming, honestly. But there's more."

His gaze shifted to the scabbard of his new knife, fingers brushing the inscriptions there. "Do you know what this name means?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

Hestia hesitated, then chuckled softly. "I knew you'd ask about that." She leaned forward, her tone shifting to something softer, almost tender. "I saw you eyeing all those knives at Hephaestus' store. You've been wanting one for a long time, so I had it custom made for you."

Bell's eyes softened with surprise and gratitude, but then the thought hit him. "Wait, Hestia... this must have cost a fortune."

She waved it off with a smile. "Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it. You're worth it, Bell."

A swell of emotion caught in his chest. The quiet warmth of her words filled him with something deeper than gratitude—something raw, something real. Without thinking, he pulled her into a tight embrace. Hestia, startled at first, melted into him.

"I'll rely on you more," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I swear, I will."

Hestia's arms tightened around him, a silent promise in her hold. "I'll be here. Always."

Meanwhile, in the depths of the Dungeon, another scene unfolded.

The steady rhythm of footsteps echoed through the darkened corridors, the only light coming from the flickering torches mounted along the walls. Ged Raish, a seasoned adventurer, strode ahead, his pace unyielding. Behind him, Liliruca Arde, his reluctant porter, struggled to keep up, her small form weighed down by the heavy pack on her back.

"Move it, Liliruca!" Ged snapped over his shoulder, his voice sharp with irritation. "Don't lag behind. We're not stopping for you."

Liliruca bit her lip, the harsh words cutting deeper than they should. She quickened her pace, but the weight of the pack, the pressure of his commands, made her chest tighten.

Ged grinned, a cruel glint in his eyes. "If we run into any monsters, you'll be the perfect decoy. You'll draw them in while I take care of business. Don't screw it up."

Her heart sank. The idea of being used as bait—again—sickened her. But she couldn't protest. Not here. Not now.

Her fingers tightened around the straps of her pack, fighting back the tears threatening to spill. She had no choice but to follow, to endure.

Something that told her she didn't have to accept this. Not forever.

—

Inside the bustling Guild, the scent of parchment and ink hung thick in the air. Eina stood behind the counter, her brow furrowed in concern as she studied Bell intently. He had just requested access to the 7th level of the Dungeon, his voice full of confidence and determination.

"Bell," Eina began, her tone sharp but laced with concern, "You can't be serious. You're asking to venture into the 7th floor without considering the dangers. It's far too reckless."

But Bell's resolve didn't waver. He stood tall, his eyes burning with unwavering determination. "I'm telling you, Eina, my stats are more than enough to clear it. I've gotten stronger. I can handle it."

Eina sighed, her hands instinctively reaching for the guild papers before her, flipping through them. She glanced up at him once more, skeptical. "Even so... it's not just about stats. You need more than raw strength. You need the right equipment, the right preparation..."

Her voice trailed off as she suddenly froze. She leaned forward, trying to catch a glimpse of his back, where adventurers usually wore their status indicators. But to her surprise, there was nothing. No visible record of his progress.

"Wait..." Her eyes widened in confusion. "Where is your status?"

Bell gave her a reassuring smile, the flicker of pride in his eyes. "I've got it covered. I don't need a status display to show how far I've come. Trust me, I'm ready for the 7th floor."

Eina was silent for a moment, processing his words. She knew Bell was capable—she had seen his growth firsthand—but this was something different. He was talking about taking on one of the most dangerous levels of the Dungeon, where even seasoned adventurers had met their end. But then, her worry faded as she saw the determination in his eyes. He wasn't going to back down.

Reluctantly, she nodded, conceding to his will. "Fine. I'll let you go. But only because I trust your judgment... even though I still think it's far too dangerous."

She paused, her gaze lingering on his worn armor. It wasn't the sturdy, reinforced gear one would expect for an adventurer facing the 7th floor's horrors.

"Hold on, Bell." Eina's voice softened, a hint of concern creeping back into her tone. "That armor... it's not enough. If you're serious about this, you'll need something better."

Bell looked down at his gear, a simple set that had served him through countless battles, but Eina's words hit home. He had been so focused on his strength and skills that he had neglected his defense.

"Are you free tomorrow?" Eina asked, her voice gentle but firm. "I'll help you get the equipment you need. You can't face the Dungeon with that."

Bell smiled gratefully, nodding. "I'll be there. Thanks, Eina."

She gave him a small, knowing smile. "Don't thank me yet. Just be prepared."

---

Next: Lili the Chienthrope