Through the white curtain of mist, Bell slipped past the swinging wooden mallet and darted into the Kobold's inner range. His pitch-black dagger sliced across its chest, and as the monster let out a furious howl, Firebolt roared to life.
Lefiya stared blankly.
The tenth floor was cleared as well...
The mist that blocked their vision, the trees the monsters used as weapons—things meant to be the Dungeon's malice—ended up becoming tools the boy used against them. He tricked the Kobolds into attacking each other or used the trees to catch and limit their swings. How much training would it take to think up so many tactics on the fly?
"Lefiya-san, could you call the others over?"
Bell looked at the yellow-haired elf frozen in place and gave a wry smile. Every time he looked at Lefiya, he felt something strange. This cute girl was just too easy to read. Didn't Loki Familia worry someone might take advantage of her? That inexplicable, older-brother-like concern made Bell feel much closer to her.
"Eh—right now?"
Just as Bell expected, Lefiya widened her eyes, her small mouth opening and closing.
"Well, if more monsters show up, I might not be able to protect you."
"Pro... protect?!"
Shock, embarrassment, frustration, and anger all surged at once. Only at the very end did Lefiya realize it was a joke. That was close—she almost let herself get provoked.
She lifted her wand, gave a sharp huff, and began chanting.
"—Penetrate, arrow of absolute accuracy!"
A vivid orange glow bloomed before the yellow-haired elf.
"Arcs Ray!"
The blast of light shot forward.
"Scatter!"
Even though she had intentionally reduced the power, a thunderous explosion rang out. Several freshly spawned Kobolds, drawn by the noise and gripping thick tree trunks, slowly approached.
The blonde girl had been waiting.
A flash of swordlight cut through the air. Within the swift dance of her blade, the Kobolds didn't even have time to scream before dissolving into black mist.
"A-Ais-san!" Lefiya greeted her with a smile.
But Ais, having finished off the monsters, looked unusually downcast.
"W-What's wrong?" Lefiya asked nervously.
It was the Pallum captain who answered.
"Sorry, Ais. Kept you waiting with that sword. Go on ahead and let loose."
Without anyone noticing, Finn and the others had already arrived.
"..."
Ais blinked, stole a quick glance at Bell, hesitated for a moment, then gripped her rapier and sprinted forward in silence.
"...Why do I feel like Ais-san is even more upset now?"
Lefiya watched the back of the girl she admired and felt a pang of loneliness.
"She's just sulking because no one's going with her!" Tione said confidently before running ahead. "Captain, leave Ais to me!"
Her twin sister, Tiona, was more interested in Bell.
"You really made it to the tenth floor? You only joined the familia a few days ago, right?"
Such absurd growth was straight out of a fairy tale.
Bell felt the eyes on him and smiled.
"Honestly, I struggled to push this far, so that's why I asked you all to take over."
Liar.
Lefiya immediately saw through it. Struggling? He might even be ready to level up. No—why am I covering for him?
Pointing it out wouldn't help her at all; it would only make him the center of attention and smother what little fighting spirit she still had.
I refuse to lose to him.
Once we're back, I'm increasing my training.
Besides magic training, I'll work on my physical fitness too. Next time, I'll definitely catch Bell Cranel. Wait, why would I catch him?! Lv3 catching up to Lv1... is that even something to be happy about?
But wait... I've always focused too much on magic training, so every time I recover my mana, I end up sleeping forever. If I start running in the mornings...
Ais-san!
The golden-yellow haired elf remembered the blonde girl practicing with empty swings and doing morning drills in the courtyard before dawn, and her lips curled up without her noticing.
"Lefiya-san, what are you grinning about? Monsters can appear in the Dungeon at any time. Focus."
Riveria was genuinely worried about this magic idiot.
"S-sorry!"
Lefiya clutched her wand, embarrassed by her drifting thoughts.
Seeing the faint blush on the elf's cheeks, Finn let out a soft laugh. "That's how young people are. Still, it's better to stay cautious in the Dungeon."
".....? Y-yes, understood!"
Even though Lefiya had no idea what the captain meant, she nodded anyway.
"But back to the topic. Bell Cranel, I didn't expect you to grow so quickly in just a few days. Could it be you have some kind of special skill?"
Finn shifted the conversation toward the boy, and an oppressive pressure surged from that small frame.
Bell gave a light smile. "I really struggled. It was all thanks to Lefiya-san teaching me the tricks of magic."
Everyone present could see it was an obvious lie.
"To lie just to hide it... do you really have some unsavory skill?"
Finn's voice was calm, his faint smile completely at odds with the tone.
Before the last word faded, a wave of hostility swept out, drowning everything and crashing toward the boy like a tidal surge. The relaxed atmosphere shattered instantly. Even the air seemed to tremble.
?!
Everyone froze. Bell Cranel was an ally of the Loki Familia on this expedition. Ensuring his safety wasn't up for debate. Why would the always-composed Finn suddenly release such intense hostility?
Tiona panicked. Under the crushing pressure, her usual cheerful smile twisted into confusion. Did she ask something she shouldn't have? Was the boy actually an enemy? No, that made no sense...
Unable to piece her thoughts together, Tiona could only pray they wouldn't end up crossing blades.
"..."
Footsteps that were previously insignificant echoed sharply across the walls, painfully loud.
Lefiya had no idea what to say. Even without a God's power, Finn and Riveria had enough wisdom and experience to see through lies. There was no doubt—the captain was angry. Utterly and completely furious.
Why did you lie, you idiot?! How was she supposed to help him? Defend him? Or...
"Well... actually... he didn't... really... mean to..."
Lefiya fumbled helplessly, unable to string together a proper sentence.
In the heavy silence, Riveria finally spoke:
"Finn, please restrain your hostility. An adventurer's skills and abilities are personal matters. Treating a newcomer this way—I cannot overlook it."
"I agree it's a bit much. Still, you've got guts lying in front of the Braver, boy."
Gareth let out a hearty laugh, trying to smooth things over for Bell.
"..."
Lefiya looked timidly at the Pallum captain.
After hearing the advice, Finn reined in his hostility and spoke solemnly.
"Bell Cranel, I apologize. That was an impulsive outburst. My past dealings with the Evilus made me overly sensitive to lies, and the habit stuck."
He lowered his head, continuing with sincere weight behind every word. "Please forgive my rudeness. I give you my word, on my honor, that the Loki Familia would never strike at someone who's already down."
"No, I was the one who lied first. If I caused you any trouble, I'm truly sorry." Bell responded politely.
With the matter settled, Bete clicked his tongue in irritation and rushed ahead. Tiona chided the werewolf a couple of times, then made a mocking face at his retreating back.
Lefiya let out a breath of relief. For a moment, she'd almost grabbed the boy's hand to tell the captain that Bell hadn't meant any harm.
The tension faded.
Bell murmured softly, "Thank you."
Everyone assumed he was thanking Riveria.
Only Finn realized Bell's gaze was directed at him.
The Braver froze for a brief moment before calming himself again.
Most of the people in this group carried an unusual obsession with becoming stronger. The blessings of the Gods were carved into the backs of their Familia members. Hestia had only recently descended to the Lower World and likely hadn't mastered the technique of locking yet.
Although the sacred script acted as an invisible seal, it was nowhere near enough to protect the boy's secrets.
To prevent anyone from prying into Bell's privacy, Finn had staged that confrontation.
He hadn't expected Bell Cranel to see through it.
Truly unexpected.
Finn gave a faint smile.
Unlike before, this one carried genuine approval.
...