The tranquil setting of the 60th floor's safe zone was a stark contrast to the tension that hung in the air. The members of the Loki Familia, along with Ottar from Freya Familia, had just finished their rest. As they prepared to move deeper into the Dungeon, an unexpected challenge arose.
"Before we proceed," Bell said, stepping forward, "I'd like to test my skills against the strongest among you." His eyes turned to Ottar, the Boaz warrior who was known as Freya's champion and the most powerful adventurer in Orario.
Ottar, his expression as stoic as ever, nodded in agreement. "If that is your wish, Bell Cranel. But know this—I won't hold back."
The Loki executives, who had been lounging and preparing for the next leg of their journey, suddenly perked up. A spar between Bell and Ottar was not something they had expected, and it promised to be a spectacle.
Finn stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "Are you sure about this, Bell? Ottar is no ordinary opponent."
Bell smiled, his usual gentleness replaced by a calm confidence that reminded everyone of someone else entirely. "Don't worry, Captain Finn. I'm way too strong for him."
With the matter settled, the group cleared a wide space in the grassy safe zone, creating a makeshift arena. The air grew thick with anticipation as Bell and Ottar faced each other. The contrast between them was striking—Ottar, a towering figure of muscle and power, and Bell, lean but radiating an aura of supreme control.
Ottar was the first to move, charging forward with the speed and power that had made him a legend in Orario. His massive axe cleaved through the air with the force to split mountains, aiming directly for Bell's torso.
But Bell didn't flinch. In the blink of an eye, he activated Cursed Technique Reversal: Red. A surge of crimson energy exploded from his outstretched hand, colliding with Ottar's axe and sending the massive warrior skidding back several feet.
Ottar's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered, launching a flurry of attacks. Each swing of his axe was a blur, but Bell deftly dodged every strike with fluid ease, his movements almost playful.
"Too slow, Ottar," Bell said, his voice calm and measured. "You rely too much on brute strength. It leaves you open to counterattacks."
Ottar grunted in response, doubling his efforts, but Bell was already on the offensive. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed Infinity, a barrier that surrounded him, making Ottar's strikes halt inches from Bell's body, as if hitting an invisible wall.
"You can't touch me," Bell continued, his tone almost instructional. "The closer you get, the further away you'll feel."
The Loki Familia members watching from the sidelines were stunned. Ais, who had seen Bell and his overwhelming level of strength, had never witnessed this side of him. His demeanor, his technique—everything was reminiscent of someone much more seasoned and powerful. It was as if Bell had become a different person entirely.
Ottar, undeterred, unleashed a devastating overhead strike, putting all his power into a single blow. But Bell simply raised his hand and activated Cursed Technique Reversal: Red again. The crimson energy met Ottar's strike head-on, and with a powerful blast, Ottar was sent flying back, landing heavily but managing to stay on his feet.
Before Ottar could recover, Bell was already in front of him, his hand hovering just inches from Ottar's chest. "This is what happens when you rely on strength alone," Bell said, his voice steady. "You forget the importance of precision."
With that, Bell unleashed a controlled burst of energy, enough to stagger Ottar but not to harm him seriously. Ottar stumbled back, realizing that Bell had won the sparring match without even breaking a sweat.
Bell stepped back, allowing Ottar to catch his breath. "You're incredibly strong, Ottar," Bell acknowledged, "but remember, power isn't everything. Speed, technique, and control are just as important."
Ottar, though slightly winded, nodded in respect. "You've proven to be way stronger, beyond what I expected, Bell Cranel. I'll take your words to heart."
As the spar ended, the Loki Familia executives, who had been watching with bated breath, couldn't hide their amazement. Tiona and Tione were wide-eyed, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.
"Is he… is he even human?" Tiona whispered, her voice filled with awe.
Ais, who had remained silent, stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "Bell… would you spar with me next?"
Bell turned to her, a small smile on his lips. "Of course, Ais. I'd be honored."
But before the sparring could begin, a sudden, ominous presence filled the air. Bell's expression darkened as he felt the familiar malevolence. The ground around them seemed to tremble, and out of the shadows, a group of figures emerged—clad in dark, ominous robes, their faces hidden beneath hoods. The air was thick with the stench of bloodlust and danger.
"Evilus," Finn muttered, his hand instinctively reaching for his spear. The others immediately drew their weapons, the playful atmosphere from before replaced by a deadly seriousness.
The leader of the Evilus group, a tall figure with a scarred face, stepped forward. "So, this is where the mighty Loki Familia and Freya's champion are hiding. And you, Bell Cranel… the so-called Honoured One."
Bell's eyes narrowed as he recognized the insignia on their robes. "What do you want?"
The scarred leader sneered. "Your heads, of course. The Dungeon is stirring, and we will be the ones to control its power. But first, we'll eliminate any threats—starting with you."
The tension escalated as the Evilus members prepared to attack, but Bell stepped forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "But you are too weak." He spoke in a childish and teasing manner as if to show that even a child knew better.
''You lot are annoying.'' Without waiting for a response, Bell activated Domain Expansion: Infinite Void. The entire area around them was consumed in an ethereal, dark blue space where time and space seemed to collapse in on themselves. The Evilus members froze, their minds overwhelmed by the infinite information assaulting their senses.
"Your mistake was thinking you could take us on," Bell said, his voice echoing within the void. "But you're nothing more than a sidequest—insignificant in the grand scheme of things."
The Loki Familia members watched in awe as Bell methodically dismantled the Evilus group. He didn't just defeat them—he broke their will, leaving them helpless within the void of his domain. One by one, the Evilus members began to fall, their resolve crumbling as they realized they were outmatched.
But as the last of them fell, the scarred leader let out a dark, twisted laugh. "You think you've won? We'll never be your prisoners!" With that, the Evilus members activated self-destructive magic, their bodies glowing with a sickly light.
"Bell, get back!" Riveria shouted, her voice filled with urgency.
But it was too late. The Evilus members exploded in a series of violent detonations, their bodies disintegrating into nothingness. Bell quickly deactivated his domain, shielding the others from the blast. When the dust settled, all that remained of their enemies was a charred patch of earth and the bitter stench of death.
Finn cursed under his breath. "They self-destructed… no information to be gained."
Bell stood silently for a moment, his expression somber. "They were determined to hide their plans. This won't be the last we see of them." Then his mood shifted to a kid throwing a tantrum ''why'd they have to poof and boom? Now I can't get any Info'' he finished in a whine of annoyance. This gave the group pause and a moment to chuckle a little.
The group gathered around the remains of the ambush, the weight of the encounter heavy on their minds. Though they had easily defeated the attackers, the encounter was a grim reminder of the darkness lurking in the depths of the Dungeon.
Ottar stepped forward, his expression grim. "We must be more vigilant. Evilus is growing bolder."
Finn nodded in agreement. "We'll need to regroup and plan our next move carefully. This isn't over."
Bell looked around at his comrades, his resolve hardening. "No, it's not. But we'll be ready for whatever comes next."
With that, the group began to prepare for their next descent, the fires of determination burning brightly in their hearts. The Dungeon held many secrets, and the shadow of Evilus loomed large, but they would face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.
If you like my work, please drop some Powerstones and leave some reviews.