After the hunter delivered both victims home, he returned to the bar, where a silver-haired girl met him on the threshold.
- Crowley, Denatus will take place tomorrow. A meeting of the gods held once every 3 months, where we choose titles for adventurers who have raised their level.
- If this is a meeting of the gods, then how will I get there?
- There is no way, but you can stand under the door and wait.
- Do you think I have absolutely nothing to do?
- Yes!
- *Sigh* You're right. Will I get a nickname?
- Oooh, you'll like it, I promise.
{ I have a really bad feeling about it }
...
* Right after Denatus*
- Congratulations, Smiley! Now all of Orario will tremble before your name.
- You must be kidding... Who could have suggested this title? Unless... Loki? Freya, why didn't you stop her?
- At first I wanted to choose something more suitable for human taste. But when she shouted out her option. I simply couldn't choose anything else.
- Only a few saw my face. Why didn't this bother anyone?
- It's simple, when the two most influential goddesses decide something, no one will interfere with them.
- Since nothing can be changed, let's go home.
...
*Evening. Hostess of Fertility*
Sitting at the table were both members of the Hestia familia and 3 waiters whom Mia allowed to spend time celebrating Bell's level up.
- Little Rookie? Not bad, not bad at all. Now you're a celebrity. What are you planning to do now?
- Mentor, I have not yet achieved my desired goal. That's why Lili and I would like to go down to the middle floors.
- If you plan to go lower, then you need another comrade. Not that I think you can't do it, but the middle floors are very different from the top floors. Groups of monsters become larger, and frequency of their appearance decreases. Once you relax, the dungeon will fall upon you with renewed vigor, - Ryuu decided to share her experience with the duo.
- I'll take your advice, Miss Ryuu. I also need to buy new armor; my previous set broke in the battle with the Minotaur.
A gangster-looking man stood up from a nearby table.
- So this is Little Rookie. I accidentally heard that you are looking for new party members. Some of us are level 2, so we could use some help in raids to deeper floors. In return, we will ask you to borrow the two beautiful ladies sitting here.
The man's hand reached out to the elf, but was caught by a bar mug, and then broken by a disgruntled Ryuu.
At the moment when a group of bandits were preparing to start a fight, a loud sound was heard throughout the establishment *Crack!* Mia Grande broke the bar counter with a menacing face.
- I won't let you start a fight here, get out of here and don't forget to pay!
The frightened bandits left an establishment in a hurry. A bar continued to operate under the supervision of staff.
- I think we'll finish for today. Bell, meet me when you find another adventurer to join your team.
...
*A few days later, in front of Babyl tower*
The usual group stood in front of the hunter. The exception was a 17-year-old teenager with short red hair and a two-handed sword on his back.
- Hello, Mr. Cheshire. My name is Welf Crozzo. I heard that you are a mentor to Bell and Lili, I am honored to be in the same group with you. I also want to thank you for helping my goddess.
- Welf ... Crozzo? A family of fallen aristocratic blacksmiths who lost their core talent for producing magical weapons. However, there is nothing to be ashamed of, my situation is close to yours.
All things considered, perhaps you are a member of Hephaestus family. We have already closed this case, no need for gratitude.
Now let's move out. I will always be there. But this time I will not help you until you are in mortal danger. You need to grow.
.....
* 11th floor of Labyrinth*
- Stay close, and don't forget about Lili standing behind you. You should be able to help each other at any time.
- Welf! Use horizontal strikes with body movement. Vertical strikes only waste the potential damage area.
- Lili! Standing behind your comrades gives you a better view. Warn them of every approaching threat.
- Bell! You are making too many unnecessary movements, give preference to the safest possible destruction of the target.
...
During the break, the team decided to have a snack, but everyone's attention was attracted by the glow around Bell's hand. It also made ringing sounds when moving.
{It's amazing how well the skills correspond to the names and personalities of the owners}
From afar, a large monster resembling a lizard was approaching the group. Bell ran out in front of him - Firebolt!
Known for its relatively low damage, this time the boy's spell completely annihilated the upper half of the creature.
- Impressive. I think this is the end of our trip. We return to the surface, next time we will go deeper.
.....
*Next time, dungeon*
All party members were dressed in red capes made of salamander skin. Bell also gained possession of a second knife, named "Ushiwakamaru."
The raid proceeded as planned. Slowly, the well-coordinated team moved forward. It seemed this time everything would go without incident.
However, at some point, a party of 6 people appeared in one of the narrow corridors, one of whom was lying wounded on the back of his friend. A huge group of monsters was moving behind them.
Their choice was to drop the monsters on the present party of the Hestia family in order to save themselves.
{Monster parade. Let's see how the kids cope.}
And they did not disappoint him. Thanks to their skills, the group was able to escape the encirclement of monsters and escape pursuit. But accumulated wounds and fatigue greatly affected their combat effectiveness.
At a certain point, they reached a dead end at which a conversation began.
Welf started first
- I don't think we have enough strength to return to the surface.
- Indeed, then we should go lower, this will require less effort from us than going up. On the 18th floor is one of the safe areas of the dungeon.
- What about Goliath?
- Loki familia should have destroyed him on the way down, if we hurry, we'll make it before he's reborn.
- It makes sense, Bell, it's up to you. In any case, we will not blame.
The gray-haired teenager hesitated, his gaze directed at the dark figure in the distance.
- Mr. Crowley, what do you think?
- Boy, I won't always be with you, and you, as the strongest member of the party, must learn to take responsibility. Make a choice.
- Then we'll go down.
.....
*At this time, on the surface*
One little goddess met with Takemikazuchi, the god whose family threw the Monster parade at Bell's group. It was decided to assemble a rescue group. During the preparation, the team members became: 3 fighters of the Takemikazuchi family: Kashima Ouka, Yamato Mikoto and Hitachi Chigusa. Ryuu Lion, as well as the unexpectedly appeared god Hermes, with the captain of his family Asfi Al Andromeda AKA "Perseus", eventually dragged the goddess Hestia with them.
The goddess Hephaestus, who took off her bandage, aroused interest among those present, but it was decided to leave the questions for later.
Unfortunately, she was unable to provide assistance, since the main part of her family was on the expedition with the Loki familia. But she gave the group a package with a letter for Welf.
...
*Back to the Labyrinth*
Having slipped through one of the holes between the floors, Bell's party reached a 17th floor. Unable to cope with the tension, Lili and Welf lost consciousness and fell to the ground.
- Master, you said that you won't let us die, why are you inactive?!
- *Sigh* They may be wounded, but their lives are not in danger, my intervention is not required. After passing the room ahead you will reach the so-called "Paradise", where you can help your friends. Now take both of them and go.
Despite what was said, the hunter carefully took the bell out of his pocket. There was a ringing sound, wounds on all three adventurers began to slowly heal. (None of the three have old blood flowing in their bodies, so recovery does not happen instantly.)
{ Perhaps I'm too soft.}
The boss's room was empty. Bell, carrying his comrades, moved his legs with difficulty. Having passed a third of the way, the "wall of sorrow" began to collapse, and Goliath started to emerge from within it.
- Bell, run.
And he ran. A couple of times the monster's hands almost touched the boy, but in the end he was able to reach the entrance to the 18th floor, which he took advantage of.
The hunter took Evelyn in his hands and aimed at the monster's stomach.
{ No. This thing will die from one shot at the crystal. This is not A Hunt. }
Having rushed past, Crowley dived after his charges.
At the end of the slope, Ais Wallenstein stood in front of Cheshire, with a group of unconscious teenagers lying at her feet.
- I think Bell already said this, but help them. I'll wait until they wake up.