Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 17. Catching Up

[You have failed to extract a shadow.]
[You have one chance remaining.]

Bell exhaled, frustration flickering in his expression. He glanced down at Igris, the knight who had once stood as an unwavering guardian of an empty throne. He deserved more than to be forgotten.

"You stood here for so long, protecting something that no longer needed protection. So how about we change that?" Bell murmured. "From now on, you'll protect me instead."

With renewed determination, he uttered the final command.

"Arise."

The fog erupted once more, but this time, it didn't dissipate. The darkness wrapped around Igris, coalescing into form.

[You have successfully extracted a shadow.]
[You have successfully enhanced the Shadow's power.]
[The Shadow will start at Level 7.]

[Shadow soldiers that rank Knight or higher can be named.]

Bell smirked. "Your name will now simply be... Igris."

Before him, the newly risen knight knelt in silent acknowledgment.

[Igris Lv.7]
Rank: Knight

[Title: Conqueror of Adversity]

This title is given to those who have valiantly overcome adversity. Your stats will increase in proportion to the amount of health lost.

(1% stat increase for every 1% of health lost.)

"I look forward to fighting alongside you." With those parting words, Bell watched as his shadow soldiers dissolved into the inky darkness, slipping seamlessly into his own shadow.

"Cool..." He muttered under his breath, unable to hide his fascination.

.

.

.

Exhaustion weighed on him the moment he arrived home. Without a second thought, he collapsed onto his bed, surrendering to sleep.

Morning came with an all-too-familiar warmth pressing against him. Bell cracked his eyes open to find Hestia sprawled across his chest, her usual clinginess unchanged. Another weight rested against him—Lili, nestled comfortably beside him. He sighed softly. At this point, he had long since accepted his goddess's affectionate tendencies.

Later at the Guild, Bell entered to find Eina deep in conversation with Ais. His steps slowed for a moment before he approached them.

Their discussion quickly turned to his recent exploits, specifically his battle against a group of Orcs on the 10th floor of the Dungeon. Ais regarded him with her usual calm demeanor, nodding as she spoke. "Reaching the 10th floor alone is impressive."

Bell rubbed the back of his head, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Ah, well... I just did my best."

Eina, however, wasn't as easily impressed. "That's exactly why you need a teacher," she interjected, her arms crossed in that ever-familiar scolding manner.

Bell blinked. "A teacher?"

Before he could protest, Ais spoke up. "I can teach you."

Eina shot Bell a knowing smirk and a playful wink, making his face heat up. His heart pounded in his chest at the thought of training with the Sword Princess herself. Did he really need a teacher? Maybe not. But an opportunity like this wasn't something he could just pass up.

"...I'd be honored," he finally said.

The following morning, as dawn painted the sky in shades of gold and amber, Bell stood atop the city wall, facing Ais. The cool breeze carried a quiet tension between them.

She held his dagger in her hands, demonstrating various stances with effortless precision. Every movement was fluid, honed through years of battle. Bell watched in quiet admiration—she was a natural.

As he opened his mouth to ask a question, Ais suddenly pivoted on her heel, launching a spinning kick aimed directly at his face. Instinct kicked in, and Bell narrowly dodged, the wind from her strike brushing against his cheek.

She blinked, realizing what she had done. "Sorry."

Bell let out a breath but waved it off. He had already expected this training to be far from gentle.

Ais adjusted her stance, this time wielding her sheath like a training sword. "Let's spar," she suggested.

Bell barely had time to react before she lunged.

As their blades clashed, she observed him closely, offering insight between attacks. "You don't fear the monsters in the Dungeon," she noted, her strikes relentless yet precise. "You faced them all on your own."

Bell could tell that he may be on par or have even surpassed Ais. It was most likely the latter.

"You've changed," Ais continued, her golden eyes studying him. "You're not the same as when I first saw you."

Bell didn't know how to respond, so he focused on dodging her next strike.

They continued like this until the first rays of daylight spilled over the city, the sound of their clashing weapons marking the beginning of a new day.

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Next: Recognition 

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