In the dim passageway, the phosphorescent glow cast a pale light over Asfi's haggard face.
"Because of Hermes-sama's whims, I'm completely worn out… If Bell Cranel and the others hadn't helped yesterday, we would've had to pay a huge sum."
Asfi muttered under her breath, then shot a glance at the girl beside her.
"Lulune, and you just had to make things worse… You idiot."
"Uuu… I'm sorry…"
Lulune answered miserably.
Because of her mistake, Hermes Familia had been seized upon by the Black-robed person.
Most of them had falsified their Levels. If that came to light, they wouldn't just face fines. It would also cause endless trouble for a faction that claimed neutrality.
Left with no choice, Hermes Familia accepted the Black-robed person's request and entered the Dungeon to support the Sword Princess.
But when they reached the 18th Floor, a massive boulder blocked their path.
"What in the world is going on down there? Even blasting powder couldn't break it…"
Asfi forced herself to focus.
Judging by the time and distance, it had already been more than half a day since the Sword Princess descended to the 24th Floor.
The Dungeon sealing off a route like this… It gave her a very bad feeling.
"Laurier, what's wrong?"
Noticing her companion's distracted expression, Asfi asked softly.
"I didn't see Bell on the way here… I'm worried he might've been caught up in this too…"
Laurier answered honestly.
"Bell Cranel… If he's there, then there's nothing to worry about."
Asfi found herself placing an inexplicable trust in the boy.
Maybe it was because, in her own streak of bad luck, she'd rarely been the one receiving help from others.
As they spoke, a shout rang out from the entrance of the passage.
"Asfi-sama! The path to the 18th Floor is open!"
"Weapons ready. Stay alert for ambushes. We're heading down immediately."
Asfi issued her orders without hesitation.
Hermes Familia made their way down the slope, nerves taut.
What greeted them was a roar of cheers, like a crashing tidal wave.
"…?"
Frowning, Asfi stepped forward slowly.
Under the blue glow of the crystal flowers, a young boy lay sprawled on the ground.
The grassy field looked as though it had been torn apart by war, every trace of green swallowed by ruin.
Broken swords, shattered axes, and shields gouged with claw marks gleamed faintly in silver.
And yet, every member of Hermes Familia found their gaze drawn to the boy lying beside the greatsword.
Dust from a fallen giant drifted through the air. Within the fading black mist, Bell's white hair was stained red with blood, telling the tale of a hero's battle.
"Don't tell me… Bell Cranel did all of this by himself?!"
Asfi's eyes widened in shock.
Beyond the dissipating black fog, monster Drop Items were scattered everywhere.
Even without seeing the fight herself, she could feel it. A heart-stopping battle had just taken place here.
While she was still taking it in, Laurier had already dashed past her.
"Bell!"
Tears welled in Laurier's eyes as she clutched the potion and rushed to his side.
Not a trace of hesitation.
She pulled out the cork, took the potion into her mouth, then, before the countless onlookers, lifted the boy and pressed her lips to his bloodstained ones.
Gasps of shock rose from the girls around them, mingling with the healing light.
"W-What are you doing?!!!!!"
Her shout drowned out even the adventurers' cheers, echoing through the entire cavern.
...
On the streets of Rivira Town, people were busy dealing with the aftermath of the battle.
Some were preparing to head back to the surface to restock supplies.
Others took the opportunity to sell food, smiling as they welcomed customers despite being covered in wounds.
Still others cursed under their breath, speculating about the origins of the Black Goliath.
But no matter where you went, everyone was talking about the lone boy who had faced the enemy by himself.
"That blond Elf is one of Little Rookie's lovers, right? Sigh… I'm so jealous…"
"Did you even see what he did? He just reached Lv.3, and he already wiped out a huge wave of monsters. He even soloed the mutated Floor Boss for everyone's sake. That's something only a real hero could accomplish!"
"Yeah… Even Goddess Artemis is one of his lovers. When you think about it, maybe it's not that strange…"
The envy and jealousy of the male adventurers went no further than words.
After surviving that heart-stopping battle, they all understood that Bell Cranel's so-called harem wasn't some childish fantasy.
If anyone in town dared to oppose the boy's harem dream, or insult the girls by his side, they would step in without hesitation and beat that person senseless.
As the local ruffians put it, the men of Rivira Town already considered Bell a brother they would stake their lives on.
Compared to them, the women were even more intense.
"I'm going to confess my love to Bell-sama!"
"He was definitely that brave just to save me!"
"Keep talking like that and the Thousand Elf will burn you alive…" Mord muttered.
"That Elf's nothing to be afraid of!"
"What about the Sword Princess? From that final storm, she and Bell Cranel must be pretty close too, right?"
"Uh… You might have a point…"
The Amazonesses seemed to sense an invisible killing intent in the air and immediately gave up the idea of confessing to the boy.
After stopping them from getting carried away, Mord headed toward the largest shop in town.
Inside, Bors was grumbling.
"Ugh… The Floor Boss's Drop Item goes to Little Rookie, and most of the monster drops go to him too. I put in so many weapons and didn't get a single thing back…"
"You're not planning to go ask Little Rookie for money, are you?" Mord asked.
"…It's you. Like hell I'd do something like that. Plenty of people's weapons broke. I can make my money back just from repairs."
With no outsiders around, Bors was unexpectedly straightforward.
This was a rogue's street, not a nest of villains.
When they were sorting the Drop Items, Bors, as the leader, had deliberately stressed that Little Rookie's share must be left untouched, down to the last piece.
Neither the boy nor his companions should be burdened with any trouble from Rivira Town.
Everyone there had nearly lost their lives. They survived only because of him.
Even without Bors saying it outright, gratitude was the only thing in their hearts.
"Mord, how long have we been hanging around here?" Bors suddenly asked.
"I've been here for years. You've probably been here even longer than me," Mord replied.
As a major supply hub in the Dungeon, Rivira Town had seen all kinds of people.
Humans, Dwarves, Elves…
Those once hailed as geniuses gradually grew up, and those called heroes quietly disappeared.
Only Bell Cranel gave off a feeling that couldn't quite be put into words.
"I can't explain it, but… Little Rookie just feels different from everyone else."
Bors looked up at the blue crystal embedded in the cavern ceiling, as if recalling something.
"Of course he's different! He's my little… big brother!"
Mord shot back immediately.
"You're still on about that? Go on, get out of here. Don't mess with my business."
Bors waved him off.
After Mord left, Bors took out a receipt.
It recorded the jet-black greatsword dropped by the 37th Floor Boss.
Using the excuse of safekeeping, he could have gone to the boy or Ais to ask for a payment.
But he only smiled.
The receipt was torn into pieces and tossed roughly onto the floor.