Bell Cranel's journey deeper into the Dungeon had become an intricate dance of anticipation and exhilaration. Every floor he passed was like another opportunity to stretch his limits, but even more so, it was a chance to indulge in the sheer madness of combat. The monsters, relentless and powerful as they were, felt almost secondary to his growing need for challenge.
By the time he reached the 45th floor, his battle-hungry instincts were itching for something more—something grander. These floors, while increasingly difficult, weren't anywhere near enough to truly test him. No, he could feel it—the deeper heart of the Dungeon was calling. The core. It was far away, but its presence was palpable. Every step Bell took felt like a step closer to whatever power lay within the depths.
Yet, until that moment arrived, Bell decided he would have some fun.
Floor 46: The Playground of Echoes
The floor stretched out before him in a vast expanse of smooth stone. There were no great obstacles here, no towering columns or labyrinthine tunnels. Instead, the floor was open and barren—perfect for Bell's plans.
Without a word, he opened his Gate of Babylon. A torrent of golden light flooded the space around him, and the Dungeon seemed to shudder under the sheer magnitude of the divine treasure vault that spilled forth from the infinite gateway. Weapons, treasures, and artifacts beyond comprehension began to materialize in the air, filling the space with an oppressive, godly aura.
Bell smirked, almost giddy at the sight of his "toys." "Alright, time to have some fun."
He stretched his arms, letting the golden gates flood with more and more divine weapons, ready to unleash a glorious display of power.
The first weapon Bell grabbed was a massive spear, its shaft gleaming with gold, its tip sharpened to perfection. As he spun it in the air, he felt the weight shift, the weapon singing in his hands like a living thing. With a smirk, he hurled the spear toward the nearest wave of monsters—a pack of aggressive "Dungeon Wolves" that had been closing in on him.
The wolves howled as they charged, but Bell was already moving, his feet light on the stone floor as he sped toward them. The spear hit its mark with a thunderous crack, skewering one of the beasts through the chest. Bell didn't stop; he leapt high into the air, activating the Gale Step to push him even further. From his new vantage point, he summoned an array of Excalibur-type swords from the Gate and tossed them in a perfect arc, each one finding its mark in a different wolf.
The monsters fell before him like wheat to a scythe. Bell landed with a soft thud, his foot lightly tapping the stone floor. He didn't even need to look as the last wolf fell, cleaved in half by a golden sword he had summoned midair.
Bell chuckled lightly, his breath steady as he surveyed the carnage. The thrill of battle was alive in him, but he wasn't done yet.
Floor 47: The Trial of Steel and Shadows
Bell's footsteps echoed through the corridors as he ventured into the next floor. The temperature had dropped, the air turning thick with the scent of decay and shadows. This floor was a stark contrast to the open expanse of the last—twisting passages and high, uneven walls made it a perfect arena for Bell's ever-growing arsenal of weapons.
He knew what was coming: a horde of Dungeon Beasts—creatures that, while still only a fraction of the power he could wield, were certainly formidable. This time, Bell decided to make the encounter a spectacle. He summoned an array of weapons—spears, katanas, crossbows, even a few enchanted shields, all from the Gate of Babylon. He placed them around the floor in strategic locations, setting up traps and snares like a master strategist.
The beasts arrived—Massive trolls, venomous serpents, and shadowy creatures with ethereal bodies. As they charged at Bell, he smiled to himself, muttering under his breath, "Let's see what they can do."
With a snap of his fingers, Bell activated the traps. Spears flew from hidden alcoves, piercing through the beasts' thick hides. A massive crossbow bolt launched from one corner of the floor, smashing into the chest of a towering troll. Bell dodged under a serpent's strike, spinning and leaping over its massive body, and in the same motion, swung a divine katana through the air. The serpent's head fell from its neck before it even had time to react.
Bell wasn't even breathing hard.
One by one, the Dungeon Beasts fell, but he wasn't satisfied. This battle was fun, but he had a deeper craving. He wanted something stronger—something more unpredictable.
His thoughts raced, and then the golden gates of Babylon roared again. This time, he called forth an entire armory—tens of thousands of weapons appeared in a flash, each one glowing with magical energy. Bell wielded them all, both in his hands and with Shikigami—making them float around him like an army of blades ready to strike.
A single flick of his wrist, and the entire cavern floor became a sea of weapons. Every monster that approached was met with a flying, glinting blade. Some monsters tried to block, some tried to dodge, but none could match the sheer amount of firepower Bell was wielding.
As the final wave of beasts crumbled, Bell stood in the center of the battlefield, breathing in the now silent air. He slowly lowered his hand, letting the weapons dissolve back into the Gate of Babylon.
Floor 48: The False Arena
Bell's movements had become a blur of speed and grace, as if he were becoming one with the dungeon itself. He moved through the floors like a force of nature, bringing chaos and destruction in his wake. On the 48th floor, the atmosphere was thick with a sense of malice. This floor was different. The air felt heavy, the pressure on his senses unbearable.
Suddenly, the ground beneath him shifted, and he was no longer on solid stone—he found himself standing in what seemed to be a vast arena, the walls rising up into a towering darkness above him. The floor stretched out before him, and in the distance, he could see a massive, mechanical contraption rumbling into place.
The Dungeon's Challenge, an automated, labyrinthine arena designed to challenge powerful adventurers. Bell was intrigued. His heart beat faster with excitement, and he grinned widely.
As he moved deeper into the arena, the Dungeon's creations began to emerge. Large, mechanical beasts—trolls, hydras, and golems—began to fill the arena. These were more than just monsters; they were parts of a grand machine, designed specifically to test his strength.
Bell smiled as he drew two blades from his Gate of Babylon. With his enchanted Void Stealer and Doom Reaver, he danced into action. The mechanical creatures charged toward him, but Bell moved with the fluidity of water, dodging, slicing, and cleaving through them with expert precision. One by one, the golems crumbled, their mechanical bodies disintegrating under Bell's blade.
He felt the thrill of combat rushing through his veins as his strikes rang out, each one calculated and devastating. For a moment, he felt like the arena itself had become part of him—his body flowing through it like a river, his weapons extensions of his own will.
With each blow, he crushed more of the mechanical beasts, the arena shaking beneath him. There was nothing here that could hold him back—not the traps, not the beasts, not even the very stone and metal of the arena.
The last golem fell, its body collapsing into dust, and Bell stood in the middle of the arena, panting lightly, his eyes blazing with excitement. The Dungeon had thrown everything it could at him, and still, he stood unscathed.
"Nice try," he said with a grin, wiping his blade clean.
Floor 49: The Calm Before the Storm
Bell took a brief moment to rest, sitting on a ledge and allowing himself to enjoy the silence. The Dungeon seemed to pause, as though waiting for something. It was an odd feeling, but Bell embraced it. There was nothing left to do but wait—for now.
He could sense it. The core of the Dungeon, calling to him from far below. His journey was far from over. But for now, Bell would take a moment to catch his breath.
He knew what was coming. Whatever lay beyond the next floor would push him further than anything he had faced before. The core was waiting, and Bell would rise to meet it, ready to face whatever challenge awaited him in the heart of the Dungeon.
But until then… he would enjoy the ride.