The war game loomed like an impending storm on the horizon. The gods and adventurers of Orario knew that the upcoming battle between Freya Familia and Loki Familia would be unlike anything they had ever seen. To prepare, Bell Cranel took all the members of Freya Familia who had reached Level 7 and above—Ottar, Allen Fromel, Hogni Ragnar, Hedin Selland.
Day 1 - Entering the Abyss
The group ventured deep into the Dungeon, descending to floors most adventurers dared not speak of. They passed the 50th floor in a matter of hours, moving with ease through the monsters and deadly landscapes. Their goal was not just survival, but improvement—Bell pushed them to their limits, both physically and mentally.
"Today," Bell announced, standing before them at the entrance to a volcanic chamber deep within the Dungeon. The heat was overwhelming, the air thick with sulfur, and the ground trembled as rivers of magma flowed nearby. "We train where the environment fights you as much as the monsters do."
They split into pairs and groups, each member tasked with enduring the blistering heat and navigating the deadly terrain while sparring against each other. The heat from the molten lava cracked the ground beneath them, and waves of blistering air made each movement feel like wading through fire.
Ottar and his partner clashed with devastating force, the Boaz warrior's massive axe colliding with his opponent's spear in a flurry of blows that would level a lesser battlefield. Hogni and Allen trained under Bell's watchful eye, their swordplay becoming sharper with each strike. Hedin and his adversary practiced their magic, controlling their spells with fine precision to maintain their concentration despite the oppressive heat.
Underwater Training – High Pressure Test
A few days later, Bell led the group to a deep cavern lake beneath the 70th floor, where the water pressure was immense, and their vision was obscured in the murky depths. It was here that Bell taught them how to fight underwater, forcing their bodies to adapt to new forms of resistance. The crushing pressure forced them to move slower, testing their patience and endurance.
"This isn't just about brute strength," Bell said, swimming gracefully through the dark water as he effortlessly dispatched a group of aquatic monsters with his bare hands. "You need control. The Dungeon throws the unexpected at you. Adapt and overcome."
They fought monstrous creatures beneath the surface, their movements becoming more refined with each passing hour. The water pushed against them, but soon, they learned to move with fluid precision, mimicking Bell's near-perfect technique.
Mind and Tactical Training – Sparring and Strategy
As the days passed, the training shifted to focus on mental fortitude and tactical thinking. Bell pitted them against each other in brutal sparring matches, but with restrictions—no magic for the mages, no weapons for the fighters. This forced them to think outside their usual strategies, sharpening their adaptability.
"Outsmart your opponent," Bell emphasized during one of the strategy drills. "Power alone won't win the war game. It's about using every advantage."
Hedin, stripped of his magic, trained with Hogni in swordplay, her magical prowess countered by the necessity of close combat. Ottar fought without his axe, forced to rely on hand-to-hand combat, while Bell sparred against Hedin in an all-out tactical battle of wits, both of them predicting and countering each other's every move.
The Descent – Deep into the Dungeon
Bell eventually led them deeper into the Dungeon than any of them had ever gone. The floors were darker, more hostile, and filled with creatures that could crush the unprepared in seconds. Bell gave them an objective: reach a certain floor with severe restrictions. Some could not use magic, while others were not allowed weapons or armor.
Their task was to scout, report back, and navigate through hordes of monsters to complete the mission. Each adventurer had to survive using their instincts and new skills. As they moved deeper into the Dungeon, Bell kept watch from above, observing their progress.
Despite his role as a teacher, Bell didn't stop training himself. He had magicians cast debilitating spells on him, slowing his movements, weakening his strength, and even blinding him for hours. In this state, he fought endlessly against monsters, honing his instincts, mastering the art of precise and efficient energy use. His control over the Limitless was now beyond perfect; he could manipulate his cursed energy with near-zero waste, firing techniques like Cursed Red and Lapse Blue with minimal effort, turning them into rapid, deadly barrages.
He also pushed the boundaries of his swordsmanship, mastering every form of combat he could get his hands on, from grappling to bare-knuckle brawling. His six eyes saw through everything now, and he learned to glimpse moments into the future, predicting his enemies' movements before they made them. This allowed him to refine his observational ability to the point where he could react to any threat with almost preternatural timing.
The Final Test – Facing the Abyss
Toward the end of the month, Bell gave them one last trial. He led them to the very edge of the Dungeon's known depths and set up a gauntlet of impossible odds. The goal was simple: survive.
"Do not rely on me to save you," Bell said, standing atop a rock as monsters began pouring in from every direction. "You must learn to survive on your own."
The members of Freya Familia clashed with the floor bosses, giant beasts capable of wiping out lesser adventurers with a single blow. Bell remained on the sidelines, observing their tactics, letting them make mistakes and learn from them.
By the time the final monster fell, the group stood victorious, battered but stronger. Each had pushed their limits and learned that sheer strength wasn't enough to win the War Game. It was unity, strategy, and adaptation that would carry them to victory.
The Final Night – A Meal Before War
As the month came to an end, Freya and Loki Familia gathered for a final meal at their respective homes. The air was tense, but filled with camaraderie. They had trained together, bled together, and now, they would fight together in the days to come.
Bell sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding. His powers had grown to a point where he surpassed even his wildest expectations. His Limitless was flawless, his swordsmanship unmatched, and his magical energy control now capable of things even he hadn't imagined.
Freya entered the hall, her eyes gleaming as they found Bell. She walked over to him, her touch soft as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've done more than I ever thought possible," she whispered.
Bell looked at her, a soft smile on his face. "I'm ready, Freya. Ready for whatever comes next."
The next day would see the strongest familias in Orario tearing each other apart. But tonight, they were a family united by a common goal. They shared stories, laughed, and ate heartily, knowing that tomorrow would bring challenges that could tear them apart.
The War Game Begins
As dawn broke over Orario, the world braced itself for the greatest battle the city had ever seen. Freya Familia, led by Bell Cranel, and Loki Familia, led by their strongest adventurers, were about to collide.
In the heart of Orario, gods and mortals alike waited with bated breath for the storm to begin.