Is it wrong for a reincarnated soul to crave a death that leaves an indelible scar on the hearts of loved ones?

Hooves capped the feet that trampled the earth, and the hide and hair covering their bodies appeared entirely inhuman. Dual horns sprouted from hairless heads, and the fangs protruding from their maws were no less sharp. Their numbers easily exceeded a hundred, their crimson eyes scanning the area with terrifying gazes.

Deep within the forty-ninth floor of the Dungeon, this wasteland swarmed with a herd of hybrid creatures—a fusion of bulls and rams possessing distorted humanoid forms. The monsters raised thick arms, hoisting heavy weapons high above their heads. At the sight of this, the order was immediately given to the front-line defenders to brace their shields before panic could take hold.

"──!!"

Immediately after, the earth shook violently, accompanied by a deafening roar. Dust clouds billowed as the monsters' blows collided with the heavy shields of the vanguard, veiling the entire area until visibility vanished.

However, the obscurity did not last long. As the view began to clear, the mage defending the rear lines──Lefiya Viridis──finished her incantation, manifesting a massive fireball that floated in the air.

"──Fusillade Fallarica!!"

The sphere expanded in an instant before exploding, transforming into countless fire arrows that incinerated the monsters with staggering heat.

Their fates varied: some turned to ash before they could let out a single cry, while others barely survived with charred bodies. Regardless, the lives of every monster in that vicinity ended beneath the raging fire fueled by her immense magical power.

Yet, despite her title as the "Thousand Elf," her barrage was not enough to fully exterminate the nightmarish herd.

Proof lay in the hundreds of monsters still standing, which began their advance once more.

"Support!! Tiona, Tione, hurry to the left wing!!"

Following the instructions of the Pallum captain, the Amazon twins dashed forward, cleaving through the monsters one after another with their weapons. Nevertheless, the tide still favored the enemy. While the first-class adventurers exerted every effort to maintain the battle lines, the relentless march of the monsters did not stop.

Those beasts, with massive bodies that seemed forged from metal, swung black iron clubs as long as a man was tall, tearing through the air and driving the defenders into a corner. Every strike from their weapons, powered by brute strength, shattered the ground and sent violent tremors through the earth.

Amidst the chaos, one presence stood out most prominently. A gargantuan body nearly bursting with power, it far surpassed the rest of the herd in size and possessed a hardiness that words could not fully describe.

Coarse, steel-colored hair covered its frame, and its reddened eyes gleamed with a voracious lust for combat, expressing an insatiable desire for destruction that sent a rhythmic trembling through the legs of the front-line fighters.

Indeed, it was the monster known as a "Fomor," and it was now preparing to deliver a crushing blow.

As soon as the massive club, charged with extraordinary force, slammed into the tower shield carried by one of the defenders, the warrior could not withstand the impact and was sent flying. This created a breach in the front defensive wall.

The monsters seized this opening and surged toward the rear lines they were supposed to protect, intent on delivering a lethal strike. But before they could arrive, a lone young man stood in their path with lightning speed.

At the sight of that white shadow appearing skillfully with his cloak fluttering behind him, the monsters roared in delight, as if they were anticipating more slaughter.

Despite being the focus of all those monsters, he stood his ground without a shred of fear.

He wore no heavy armor, only light combat attire, and possessed no protection save for metal gauntlets. But that did not matter.

The Fomor's demonic appearance and alloy-like body were not mere show; a single strike from this monster was capable of killing first-class adventurers from the elite Loki Familia, the strongest Familia in Orario.

Under normal circumstances, this monster was a terrifying foe that even Level 5 adventurers could not take lightly. However, its luck had run out this time. The man standing before it was now the strongest man in the city and the fastest man in the world—the supreme adventurer whose majestic titles were famous even beyond the city walls.

"───── Thunderbolt."

He was the strongest weapon of the Loki Familia, the family that rivaled the Freya Familia led by the Goddess of Beauty──the "Sword Saint" Al Cranel.

Simply and with a single word, he released his magic known as "Thunderbolt"—an offensive spell that launched electrical discharges with a fiery glow from his hand or weapon.

The bolt struck with lightning speed, hitting the monster's head with pinpoint accuracy. The beast froze, screaming from the electric shock, followed by a series of bolts that pierced the monsters one after another.

Had it been ordinary offensive magic, it would have been unremarkable. However, the reason Riveria Ljos Alf, the greatest mage in Orario, described this magic as "beyond the standards" was twofold: first, it was a fast-cast magic that required no long incantation.

Magic usually possesses a common weakness: "casting time." Whether it is offensive, healing, defensive, or even curses, an incantation is necessary for activation. The stronger the magic, the longer the chant—some spells even take full minutes.

Naturally, techniques like "Concurrent Chanting" or "Super Short Chanting" exist to cover this weakness, but the chant itself never disappears. Al's magic, however, was a rare exception that broke this rule entirely; it activated with a single word, allowing him to fire it in rapid succession.

The second reason was its sheer destructive power.

As stated, the power of magic is directly proportional to the length of the chant. For this reason, the magic released by Riveria or other high-ranking mages requires an incredibly long incantation.

But Al's Thunderbolt defied this logic as well.

Being lightning, it was fast and impossible to avoid, and furthermore, it caused paralysis even if the opponent survived the strike. Its power equaled the barrage magic resulting from a long chant by a first-class adventurer, capable of eliminating deep-floor monsters in a single hit.

In some cases, a direct hit from it could knock a first-class adventurer unconscious, even if they possessed high endurance and anti-magic equipment.

With speed no less than his magic, he drew multiple silver arcs in the air resembling flashes of thunder. In the blink of an eye, the bodies of the Fomors exploded, their remains scattering amidst waterfalls of blood. Everyone stood stunned before the scene.

It was overwhelming dominance. The massive bodies of the monsters flew through the air as if made of paper. It wasn't just one or two, but dozens and hundreds were slaughtered without the slightest resistance. It was a massacre in every sense of the word.

With complete coldness and devoid of emotion, his silver sword carved its way to create dozens of corpses in moments. It was an art of death, more beautiful and cruel than anything else—a dance of death that annihilated all the fierce beasts amidst the roar of thunder.

Al did not fight alone. After he wiped out the monsters attacking the vanguard, the "Sword Princess" and six other first-class adventurers joined him, raining a barrage of strikes upon the enemies.

They rushed forward with all their might so as not to be outdone by Al. The mages also began releasing their spells as soon as their chants concluded, fireballs launching simultaneously.

Wind blades, ice spears, rock masses, liquid poisons, and lines of fire resembling flamethrowers assaulted the monsters.

"──Soon, the fire will be released. Rage, O crimson flames. O merciless heat. You are the incarnation of hell. Sweep everything away, and put an end to this great conflict."

"Burn everything, O Sword of Surtr──My name is Alf!"

"Rea Laevateinn!!"

Eight first-class adventurers representing the leaders of the Loki Familia, along with a cadre of high-level adventurers, stood ready. Al, Ais Wallenstein, Bete Loga, and other front-line fighters had bought the necessary time for Riveria to finish her incantation.

After their mission ended, the battle's conclusion was declared with the launch of the greatest offensive magic by the city's finest mage: the second-tier fire annihilation magic, "Rea Laevateinn." Glowing green magic circles formed, and the spell's range covered the entire battlefield.

Massive crimson spears made of intense heat swept across the ground. The fiery projectiles exploded on impact, hurling monsters left and right. The explosions swallowed the beasts, who had no means of surviving this hell.

The Loki Familia was in the midst of an "Expedition," a mission imposed by the Guild on high-ranking Families.

They had reached the fiftieth floor of the Dungeon's depths, an area trodden only by a few powerful Families like the Freya and Ganesha Familias. Now, they were advancing toward unknown floors that no adventurer in the modern era had reached.

At that moment, they planned to establish a base camp and take a long rest. This rest was essential for the expedition members to recover their strength for the next phase.

"Alright, let's start setting up the camp."

Based on the words of Raul, who was responsible for leading the second-string members, the members began moving actively: pitching tents, securing food, and installing lighting using magic stones.

They appeared very accustomed to these outdoor activities; their work was organized and swift. The tents, stoves, and cooking utensils were already being prepared.

Some members took on guard duty, even though this floor is considered a rare "Safe Zone" in the Dungeon where monsters do not appear, making the danger almost non-existent.

After that major battle, a mood of calculated relaxation prevailed among the members, without reaching the point of negligence.

The first-class adventurer leaders were no exception.

"There were quite a lot of them today, weren't there?"

"Yeah, it was a bit exhausting."

The two girls carrying luggage that outweighed the loads of the other members several times over were the Amazon sisters, Tione and Tiona, who had fought a fierce battle moments ago.

Originally, leaders are not required to perform the manual labor done by lower-ranked members, but Tiona took the initiative to help, and Tione followed suit.

By the way, they wore clothes resembling dancer outfits that revealed their tanned skin, the characteristic attire of the Amazon race. Though it was an attention-grabbing outfit, they always fought in it.

Tiona possessed a small physical build compared to the size of her massive weapon, but she was far stronger than average adventurers.

She was lifting wooden crates filled with supplies and moving them, while Tione was no less strong or enduring than her sister, carrying the luggage with a calm face despite her violent combat.

"What? You still have all this energy!!"

"Shut up."

"Please, don't overexert yourselves; you were fighting on the front lines."

Tiona continued working with a smile, while her older sister smiled faintly despite her grumbling. At that moment, Lefiya, the orange-haired elf girl, appeared and spoke in a worried tone.

"It's fine, it's fine!! Tione and I aren't hurt. Rather, you're the one who should be tired, Lefiya, after all that magic you used."

"No, I... I'm not at all..."

Signs of fatigue were clear on Lefiya as well. Although she was providing magical support, keeping up with the warriors on the front lines amidst that grueling battle was no easy feat. Nevertheless, she did not show her exhaustion and spoke kindly to her seniors, demonstrating the strength of her resolve.

Tiona directed a mischievous smile toward her. In reality, in terms of "Level," Lefiya was still far from the level of Tiona and the others, but her magical power—which the Familia's god called "Stupid Magic" due to its sheer scale—made her a massive destructive force against large numbers, and she sometimes surpassed Tiona in achievement.

Lefiya is considered Level 3 within the Loki Familia, but in terms of wide-range magic, she ranks second only to her mentor Riveria, though she does not fully realize her own true value.

Hearing their conversation, Bete approached. The Amazon sisters scowled upon seeing him, but he didn't care and spoke to them. It wasn't because their relationship was bad, but rather a mismatch in temperaments.

Bete's blunt personality always grated on their nerves. Similarly, Bete did not find the sisters' company enjoyable, so he did not wish to speak with them long and addressed only Lefiya.

"Hey, where are Ais and Al?"

Lefiya seemed confused for a moment; she had indeed noticed their disappearance. Tione answered from her side:

"The two of them are in that tent, getting a lecture from the Captain."

Inside the largest tent, inscribed with the Familia emblem—the "Gesticulating Clown"—were the top leaders along with a young man and woman.

In the tent was a large bed, and beside it a small table piled with files. This tent served as the command headquarters for this expedition.

Finn Deimne, the captain of the Loki Familia, was a handsome man with golden hair and blue eyes suggesting intelligence. He had an appearance suggesting he was a boy despite being a Level 6 adventurer.

"Alright, Ais. Why didn't you stick to the orders to maintain the defensive lines?"

At the Captain's words, the girl with flowing golden hair and divine beauty lowered her eyes. She was Ais Wallenstein, nicknamed the "Sword Princess," and one of the leaders of the Loki Familia.

She remained silent and did not answer, which made Finn sigh helplessly.

"Ais, you are undoubtedly strong. But for that very reason, your actions as a leader affect those below you, whether positively or negatively. You must realize this."

"..."

"Are you feeling uncomfortable? With your current position?"

"... No, I'm sorry."

Despite her strength fitting her title, she was still a girl in the process of growing up and had not yet matured psychologically.

"No need to apologize. Just be careful to pay attention next time."

Finn smiled kindly, and Ais nodded her head slightly. She was thinking to herself: Why am I so weak?

Although her sword skills had made her one of the most prominent powers in the city, she felt unable to scale the wall standing before her.

She felt confused, as if she had returned to those days when her head held nothing but the slaughter of monsters in the labyrinth. She thought that pursuing strength might open new horizons for her, but now she wondered what she truly needed.

"And you too, Al, don't pretend this doesn't concern you. I know you're the strongest among us, but you rush in too much. This behavior of yours prevents others from developing, and more importantly, it will lead you to ruin."

The other person was a youth with hair white as snow and eyes red as blood, possessing a masculine beauty resembling Greek statues—this was Al Cranel. He was the same age as Ais, and together they represented a constant headache for Riveria due to their reckless actions.

"... I will restrain myself."

Al said with a sullen face, and Finn smiled bitterly, thinking, He doesn't really understand. The truth was that Al's power surpassed the other members in this expedition by leaps and bounds, and in terms of pure combat skill, he was undoubtedly the strongest.

But Al was still in the development stage, and his talent had begun to bloom fully, yet he tended toward excessive risk in his pursuit of power. For this reason, he received reprimands repeatedly without noticeable improvement.

(Well, I must find a solution to this matter somehow).

"Don't be too hard on them, Finn. They must have rushed into the Fomor herd out of a desire to protect us front-line fighters. Even if they almost caused the formation to collapse."

"And to be fair, my slowness in chanting was my fault as well."

Those who provided this support were Gareth Landrock, the powerful Level 6 dwarf, and the High Elf Riveria. Faced with the mediation of his two friends, Finn smiled again and said while looking at Ais and Al:

"I'll overlook it this time, but pay attention in the future."

"... Understood."

"... Acknowledged."

Ais answered shyly, while Al answered curtly as usual. Finn shook his head as he saw this contrast between them.

"Strength is a good thing, for you and for the Familia."

Finn murmured after they left.

"But they are far too impulsive. And Al specifically, he crosses the limits."

What was crossing the minds of Finn and Riveria was the image of that boy who always returned from the Dungeon with his white hair stained with blood and his body covered in wounds. That boy who never retreated a single step even when Loki threatened to seal his abilities, reaching Level 7──the highest rank for adventurers──in just three and a half years.

"Since he reached Level 7 six months ago, he's started feeling confused again."

Six months ago, during the return from an expedition, an extraordinary floor boss (Balor) appeared suddenly. Al sacrificed himself and stayed alone to fight the monster and secure the escape of the injured members. After a fierce battle, he succeeded in slaying it and his level rose.

──Yes, Al Cranel feels anxious, and he fears stagnation. That boy who became a first-class adventurer within one year of receiving the "Blessing" is still unsatisfied despite reaching the peak of power at Level 7, and looks toward what lies beyond.

Finn understands Al's feelings, but he sees his current situation as dangerous.

"He underestimates his life too much. That wasn't the first time he fought alone to protect us."

"Yes, I know he cares for everyone. But at this rate, he will walk alone to a place where even Ais cannot catch up to him in his pursuit of power."

"... What is he truly aiming for?"

One reason for Al's unnatural growth speed was his skill [憧憬追想 - Longing Remembrance]. It is a rare skill that makes the owner grow at a speed proportional to the intensity of their feelings. Loki had never seen its like before, and only the Goddess and the big three in the Familia knew of its existence.

When Al first came to Orario, he said he had no parents.

Unlike Ais, he had a younger brother, but despite that, he did not enjoy the warmth of a family. Perhaps for this reason, there is still a slight barrier between him and the rest of the Familia members.

Finn does not understand why he seeks with all this persistence to become stronger, but he sees that he is advancing toward his goal steadily.

"We'll find out one day."

"I hope so. Regardless of his skill, he possesses superlative talent. It's as if I'm seeing 'Silence' before me again."

Yes, he resembles her greatly. He resembles "Alfia," nicknamed "Silence," who was considered an exceptional case even within the Hera Familia, the strongest in history. It was said she was the being most loved by talent since the age of the Gods.

"Perhaps there is a blood relation between them; the name and appearance are similar. ... And because of his overwhelming talent, no one can stop him."

"Sigh, what can we do?"

Although they were in a "Safe Zone," caution was mandatory. Nonetheless, the members of the Loki Familia allowed themselves some fun to relieve the fatigue of combat.

In the middle of the camp, a massive pot was placed, emitting a delicious aroma, and the members gathered around it exchanging talk.

What was in the pot was a stew made of dungeon forest fruits, meats, and produce, prepared by Al. Despite being the strike force of the Familia, he had learned cooking from the strongest dwarf in Orario and became responsible for preparing appetizers for the Goddess Loki. The stew was perfect for warming tired bodies.

"Excuse me, are you sure you don't want to eat?"

"Yes, it's fine..."

"You're pretending to be strong while your stomach is making audible noises!!"

Ais answered Lefiya's question curtly, but her stomach's betrayal by letting out the sound of hunger made Tiona and the others laugh, causing Ais's face to turn red with embarrassment.

It was not surprising; Ais believed that eating too much negatively affected combat, so she settled for ready-made food rations and did not consume real meals.

In such a case, it was impossible to resist the smell of a delicious stew like this. Ais felt embarrassed and shrank in her place, so Tiona laughed and said:

"Eat, we don't want you to faint in a time of need."

"Oh..."

Since Al was the one who prepared the food—and he was like an older brother to Ais—she found no escape from eating. As soon as she tasted the first spoonful, her eyes widened in shock.

She began eating silently and quickly, emptying her bowl one after another. When she finished rapidly, she asked for more, and Aki filled her bowl again.

(... It's warm).

She didn't know if she meant the food or her companions, but that is what she felt. However, she wondered within herself: Do I have the right to be here? Is my place among these people correct?

Do I deserve this warmth and kindness? Doubt nagged at her and anxiety gnawed at her—a feeling that she was in a place where she did not belong.

(I...)

Can someone like me enter this circle? Can I stay with everyone? She asked herself, but before she could utter a word, Tiona leaned on her with her usual bright smile, as if her presence there was the simplest of natural rights.

●○●○●

I, Al Cranel, am a person transferred to this world (reincarnated). I was born as a child in a quiet rural land. Shortly after I learned to crawl, my younger brother was born, and when I heard his name, I was stunned.

This world is the world of DanMachi!

My little brother is Bell Cranel, and our grandfather who raised us is that large, eccentric man who replaced our parents who disappeared. I confirmed it then; this is the fantasy world where adventurers hunt monsters in the labyrinth.

Since then, I pretended to be a normal child and hid the memories of my previous life.

According to my fading memories, DanMachi is the story of the hero Bell Cranel who saves the heroines in the city of Orario and grows to become a hero with his companions. This work is full of characters who possess sad and painful pasts that make one want to see how they will overcome that black cloud (suffering).

When I realized I had reincarnated in this world, the first thing I thought was: Ah, I want to become a wound in the hearts of these people and die a majestic death.

In my previous life, I was someone who loved dramatic and tragic stories (Kumorase). Since I had died once, my fear of death had diminished, and I longed to satisfy this desire. As soon as my body matured and I became capable of fighting, I headed to Orario.

Of course, I had to join the Loki Familia where the main characters were. I thought joining would be difficult, but my high stats plus my "cute" appearance when I was twelve years old caught the attention of the Goddess Loki, who loves beauty, so I entered the Familia easily.

Since then, I pretended to be that mysterious, silent young man who cares for his companions and hides a dark past. I made friends with Ais, Bete, and the others, and I was planning to sacrifice myself to protect them... but.

This body is too strong. At Level 1, I could defeat an evolved baby dragon, and I killed floor bosses alone; I was never able to die. In the beginning, I was satisfied with some simple drama, but I began to feel unsatisfied, and now I want to leave with a big bang.

Even when I face a very strong opponent who nearly kills me, my body reacts automatically and I get a sudden surge of power in the moments of death, just like manga heroes, and I win in the end.

This repeated until I reached Level 7. Now, there is almost no opponent who can defeat me.

There is no reason to fight Ottar...

Ah, what do I do now?

────────────────────────────────────────────────

Al Cranel's Magic Level (Level 7) and his very short chant is equivalent to Riveria's power (when she was Level 5), so he is very strong. Al's age is 16.

Al Cranel "Magic" [Thunderbolt]

Fast-cast magic.

Lightning element.

"Skills" [Longing Remembrance]

Early growth.

Effect lasts until the goal (Drama/Suffering) is achieved.

Efficiency increases proportionally with the intensity of emotions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[40 chapters ]

<Ais's Perspective>

I wonder when my mind first began to associate him with the image of my father.

My first encounter with Al Cranel occurred when Loki brought him in to join the Familia. She was even more jubilant than usual that day.

He had hair as white as snow and a body that, despite his young age at the time, was already lean and muscular. His movements were disciplined, devoid of any wasted effort.

However, what truly captured my attention were his eyes, which shone with a deep crimson brilliance, like blood. When our gazes met, I recognized a familiar determination in his eyes. I knew instinctively that he was exactly like me.

Indeed, as soon as he received Loki's blessing, he began diving into the depths of the Dungeon. With the same ferocity I had displayed years ago—perhaps even more intensely—he threw himself into combat day and night.

At first, those around us held differing opinions regarding his behavior. Over time, however, those voices faded; eventually, no one dared to say a word except for Riveria.

I felt a strong sense of kinship toward him as someone who pursued strength. Yet, because I was at Level 4 at the time, I did not communicate with him directly despite our similar ages. Instead, I simply watched from a distance as he returned every day, his body covered in wounds, only to be lectured by Riveria.

I began to pay closer attention to him three weeks after he joined—specifically when he reached Level 2. It was a staggering pace of advancement, far surpassing my own record of reaching that level in a year. This prompted me to question Loki about what had happened.

She told me that an "Enhanced" baby dragon had appeared in the upper floors. To secure the escape of his companions and protect the wounded who were unable to move, Al fought the dragon alone and emerged victorious.

That team consisted of members who had joined the Loki Familia less than three years prior. Riveria had forced them to accompany Al because of his excessive tendency to work alone. Despite being novices, they were members of the Loki Familia, and some had already reached Level 2.

Was it possible for someone who had received a Blessing only three weeks ago to defeat an enhanced monster that seasoned adventurers had fled from? It seemed impossible; even I could never have done such a thing.

Yet, he achieved it. Thanks to this recognized "Great Feat," he was able to level up. However, leveling up requires at least one ability score to reach Rank D in addition to the feat.

While attributes rise easily at the start, reaching Rank D in three weeks is beyond the limits of mere talent. Usually, the highest one can achieve is Rank G or F, but he had actually reached it by the time his battle with the dragon concluded.

Tiona began to grow closer to Al after that, while I continued to observe him from afar.

I felt a mixture of astonishment and a strange sense of conviction. From the moment I first saw his eyes, I sensed the powerful emotions dwelling within him; I realized those feelings were his primary engine. If it were a mere desire for combat, he would have ended up as a simple "battle maniac," but he did not stop there.

He continued to harvest monsters until he reached the middle floors entirely on his own. This was inconceivable to me at the time, and it became clear to everyone that this boy was an anomaly.

A month later, he returned one day in a more wretched state than ever before, losing consciousness the moment he arrived. After receiving treatment from Riveria, he updated his status.

── Level 3.

This was when my real interaction with Al began. I felt a sharp pang of jealousy; it was unthinkable that he could become a second-class adventurer just like me in a mere two months.

While everyone, including Elfy and Tiona, heaped praise upon him, I could not be honest with him. I stuck to brief, formal responses whenever we spoke.

I felt as though it were unfair. Al had climbed in the blink of an eye the very steps that had taken me years to scale since my childhood. Later, through Loki's arrangement, we began going on Dungeon missions together. I continued to treat him coldly, while internally I trembled with fear at his suicidal fighting style and his terrifying growth rate.

Everything changed during the incident that led to my advancement to Level 5 and Al's to Level 4: the attack of the "Black Goliath" on the town of Rivira.

That monster appeared suddenly despite being in a dormant period, completely destroying Rivira. The Black Goliath was stronger than usual, and I was unable to face it at Level 4.

The adventurers in Rivira were Level 3 at most. Everyone felt despair before the monster's power, which was equivalent to Level 5, believing it was the end. But Al stood alone against the Goliath while everyone else fled.

When I watched him fight, I realized the truth. He does not fight recklessly because he devalues his life; quite the opposite.

Al fights to save the lives of others. He seeks power for the sake of everyone else but himself.

Despite his extraordinary talent, Level 3 statistics should never allow someone to defeat a Floor Boss with Level 5 strength. This is common knowledge. Nevertheless, the sight of him advancing without a shred of fear made his image overlap with that of my father in my mind.

That figure breathed life back into the residents of Rivira whose hearts were nearly broken by despair. They stood up and took up their weapons once more. In that moment, I felt a strange pride.

I had found the first person I wanted to protect, after spending my entire life being protected by my father. After a fierce battle, the Goliath fell, and both Al and I leveled up.

Years have passed since then. I remained at Level 5, while Al reached Level 7—the very pinnacle of the adventurer hierarchy.

I became the only one unable to surpass Level 5. I felt frustration, sadness, and fear, but more than that, I was filled with an overwhelming desire to stand beside him.

He does not look at me; he looks forward, toward a distant goal. If this continues, he will go to a place I can never reach. I fear that Al will leave me alone again. I want to see what he sees. I want to know the world he observes. I want to reach where he is.

So, please... please, Al, do not leave me behind.

●○●○●

Ais and her companions headed toward "Cadmus Spring" on the fifty-first floor at the request of the Dian Cecht Familia to collect spring water. There, they stumbled upon the corpse of "Cadmus" and the culprit that killed it: giant worms that stored corrosive fluid.

That corrosive liquid was powerful beyond imagination, melting weapons made of the Loki Familia's rare metals. No one could fight except for Ais and Al, who possessed weapons with "Unbreakable" properties. Only they were capable at that moment of deciding the battle without casualties.

The fight continued in a repetitive cycle of slashing before the fluid could dissolve them. They barely managed to regroup with Finn's unit and exterminate the new worms at the main camp, but then a much greater entity appeared before them. It was a creature with a feminine form that far exceeded the worms in size, storing massive quantities of corrosive liquid. Finn began to analyze the situation calmly.

The piercing power of her massive body was likely immense, but more dangerous was the solvent she spat. To be showered in that liquid meant an immediate exit from the battle.

Her size rivaled that of Floor Bosses, standing approximately six to seven meters tall. There was a vast difference between her size and that of the previous worms.

Her strange body, far larger than the massive individuals they had just fought, was colored a vivid, poisonous yellowish-green. She appeared to be a "Queen Worm," emitting an aura that struck terror into the heart.

Her hideousness, resembling an overgrown maggot, remained, but while the previous worms looked like human larvae, this one took the shape of a human woman.

She possessed a prominent chest with large breasts, a sculpted waist, and rounded, bulging hips, while the lower part of her fleshy body transformed into something resembling a skirt.

To any intelligent being, her appearance triggered an instinctive disgust bordering on horror. Yet, if one were to look past that ugliness, they would find an organic beauty resembling a mermaid, emitting a strange sanctity that contrasted with her repulsive appearance. It was a sensation different from any monster they had encountered before.

"Divinity"──that was the most appropriate description for her presence.

While Finn and his companions shuddered at this unprecedented sensation, the Queen Worm slowly opened her four flattened limbs, appearing like a saintly mother about to embrace her beloved or accept everyone into her fold.

In that moment, colored particles resembling flower pollen erupted from her arms, drifting with the wind like shimmering motes of light toward Finn and the others.

──Suddenly, a violent explosion of light occurred, completely obscuring their vision. Everyone suffered temporary blindness from the flash. With a quick decision, Ais summoned "Ariel" to protect her comrades. A moment later, the light exploded, causing a shockwave that rattled the air and cratered the ground.

"Ggh──!!"

"Kyaaaaaaaaa──?!"

Finn and his companions were sent flying by the blast wave and intense heat, but they immediately regained their balance to assess the situation.

The explosion left a giant crater several meters wide; the shockwave uprooted trees and dug deep into the earth.

Those light particles scattered casually like butterfly dust were actually "magic projectiles" that detonated everything. Their power was sufficient to cause fatal injuries even to first-class adventurers if they took a direct hit.

In the center of the event, the Queen stood in a form that no longer resembled a worm. Four wings sprouted from her arms, and two long horns extended toward the sky from the top of her head. Everyone instinctively realized that this transformation was the Queen's true form.

After shedding her worm-like shell, the Queen began to wear a confident smile as she altered her shape.

Although locating the "Mana Stone" was difficult due to her massive body rivaling that of Floor Bosses, Riveria's magic could crush her. However, exterminating her recklessly would lead to a tsunami of corrosive fluid that would drown everyone and cause devastating losses. Finn realized this before anyone else and ordered a withdrawal.

"Abandon the camp immediately. Retreat with minimum supplies. Inform Riveria and the rest."

"Wait, Finn! What about that thing?!"

"If we leave it like this, a disaster could happen!"

Bete and Tiona objected to Finn's order, and their objection was valid; leaving a monster that the Loki Familia could not resolve quickly might lead to unimaginable destruction.

Nevertheless, continuing the fight would certainly result in casualties, but something even more dangerous might occur. For this reason, Finn chose to make a harsh decision.

"To eliminate this monster with the least amount of losses, there is no other solution. I am not satisfied with this decision myself... and I apologize for saying such cliché words in a situation like this."

Given the size of the monster that rivaled Floor Bosses, it was difficult to avoid the corrosive fluid that would overflow from it. Only Ais could manage this, thanks to her magic which prevented the fluid from touching her, and Al, who could burn the corrosive liquid with his fire magic—not to mention he was the fastest man in the city, surpassing even the "Chariot of the Goddess" (Ottar) in agility.

The rest of the companions present would be in certain danger if the corrosive fluid splashed. Therefore, no one else but these two could settle the battle.

Thus, Finn and the others had no choice but to entrust the task to them and retreat.

"Ais, Al. Eliminate that monster."

The two nodded silently and drew their weapons.

(...... She's hard!!)

This was Ais's impression as soon as her sword struck the female's body. She felt as though she were hitting a block of steel, yet she felt no impact from her blow.

Indeed, a liquid resembling murky sap leaked from the wound and covered it; within moments, the body returned to its original state as if nothing had happened.

Ais could not hide her astonishment, her eyes widening in shock. In that moment, the female launched her counterattack.

She extended her thick arm and swung it like a whip to attack. Ais raised her sword quickly to parry the strike, but the force of the blow pushed her back and sent her flying.

However, she landed skillfully and regained her stance, then raised her sword with all her might and cleaved the air with a horizontal strike. Yet, the result was no different; the wounds healed instantly.

Ais realized that simple attrition would not work. She began to gather "Ariel" around her sword with greater intensity, preparing to launch her "Grand Technique" reserved for Floor Bosses. But she stood stunned before the battle unfolding before her eyes—a battle on an entirely different level.

It was a fight at divine speed. The supernatural velocity made even Ais struggle to see the movements clearly from a distance, causing violent shockwaves that shattered trees and the ground around them. With the addition of those attacks resembling raging thunderbolts, approaching the arena became impossible.

Al's primary weapon was the special sword, 【Mistilteinn】. This blade was forged from the hardest refined metals that exceeded the durability of "Adamantite," and rare materials from the Floor Boss "Balor" were fused into it. The property of this sword was "Unbreakable."

This sword, possessing power equal to Ais's 【Desperate】, could not bend or break regardless of the circumstances. In the hands of Al, who possessed abilities and techniques surpassing Ais, the sword tore through the female's steel-like flesh with absolute ease.

(He has become stronger again...)

Because they were fighting alone together, Ais felt this more than ever. Unlike her, who suffered from stagnant growth, Al had never stopped evolving.

I shouldn't stay like this; I must exert more effort──Ais thought bitterly, feeling helpless just standing as a spectator before this legendary combat.

The female possessed agility and mobility inconsistent with her massive body. She swung her four tactile arms in all directions to cover 360-degree attacks. Even if someone tried to circle behind her, she moved her feet—which resembled "sea anemone" legs—to change direction quickly. She did not suffer from the poor maneuverability that usually characterized Floor Bosses like Goliath.

But before Al, she was nothing more than a scarecrow. He easily sliced the arm that attacked him from behind, then delivered a violent, cutting blow to her body.

Despite her heavy appearance, she possessed high speed and magic resistance. It seemed her defense against physical attacks was immense. However, for Al, an opponent of this level presented no real problem.

After cornering her with his violent assault, the female suddenly stopped and began spitting massive amounts of liquid from her mouth. It was a purple, viscous substance resembling "Slime," and it spread rapidly on the ground. As soon as it touched the trees, the forest began to erode and rot in the blink of an eye.

Ais sensed the danger and used her only magic, 【Ariel】, to surround herself with fierce winds like a storm, driving the purple liquid away from her.

Though she was not an "Elf" experienced in magic, the wind protection granted by the 【Ariel】 skill allowed her to balance the power in the clash of her sword with the female's tactile arms.

Yet for Ais, using her strongest magic and her unbreakable sword only made her "equal" to the monster. She felt a lump in her throat at her inability to fight using pure physical capabilities like Al. While Ais was lost in her thoughts, the situation shifted again.

Al dashed forward with unimaginable speed, bypassing the female's left side and delivering an upward sword strike (Kisaragi). The female tried to use her remaining right arm as a shield, but she was too slow. Al severed her multiple anemone-like feet in a single instant.

No matter how strong and flexible her body was, losing her lower half meant losing the ability to move. It appeared the battle was decided, but the female did not surrender. Instead, she threw her massive body to collide with Al in a suicidal attack.

Although the momentum of that gargantuan mass was terrifying, such a desperate attack would never hit Al. He dodged the blow easily, then climbed the female's body with speed that blurred the eyes.

With every leap, he tore her body apart completely, until he severed the remains of her arms at the roots. In that moment, the female stopped moving entirely, and a massive, unprecedented amount of corrosive fluid erupted from her. However, Al cleared the area with a "barrier of cutting strikes" that did not even require magic.

The power gap was decisive. The "Blessing" that brings an adventurer closer to the status of a god as they level up makes the difference between one level and the next like the difference between separate species. That two-level gap stood like a towering wall before Ais.

"── Damn it."

It was not a feeling of malice, but of sorrow. If this continued, the gap would widen further, and she would never be able to fight alongside Al. "Little Ais" screamed inside her, rejecting this reality.

I don't want to stay behind you. I want to stay beside you always. I want us to fight together back-to-back as we used to. As Ais wrestled with her feelings, the sound of a "Bell" that shook the soul echoed through the area, and black light particles appeared out of nowhere.

Those particles were Al's acquired skill, 【Alcides - Way of the Supreme Hero】. It is a skill that grants the right to "Charge" active deeds such as magic, and Al's magic, enhanced by this skill, was directed toward the female who had lost all means of attack.

── "【Thunderbolt】"

The bolt, its power multiplied by the charge, launched as a pillar of light that surpassed the strength of Riveria's 【Rea Laevateinn】, completely incinerating the female's body.

Intense heat obscured the vision, and everything turned red. A sea of flames spread at the center of the explosion, and fire began to consume the gray forest from every side. Under the crimson glow of the flames, Ais could only stare at the scene.

(Ah... I couldn't do anything).

A shadow emerged from the midst of the burning sea without a single scratch. He was the figure of a hero in every sense of the word. Ais bit her lip as she saw Al, who could have defeated the female easily even if she had not been there.

●○●○●

The Loki Familia procession marched through the inorganic corridors made of various rocks in the middle floors of the Dungeon, which resembled a natural labyrinth, heading toward the upper floors──toward the surface.

As they ascended to the shallow floors, the monsters began to weaken, accelerating their progress. The phosphorescent lights of the Dungeon began to grow brighter.

They were close to exiting this underground maze. They were now on the seventeenth floor, which is close to the surface compared to the depths they had occupied.

During the return journey, Ais and her companions engaged in a few minor battles—no more than three or four times—and the strength of the enemies posed no obstacle to a Level 2 adventurer.

Due to the appearance of the metal-melting worms and the female monster rivaling a Floor Boss—two new types of "Irregulars" that even the Loki Familia had struggled with—they decided to abandon the exploration of unknown floors and return to the surface.

(... What did that monster really represent?)

Ais was reflecting on the previous battle while exchanging talk with Tione and Lefiya. The giant worms had changed their skin color to attack, and their style was simple, relying on spitting acid from openings in the front of their bodies.

The strength of that acid was enough to dissolve any unprotected part of the body in an instant. As for the female, she had been a terrifying opponent with the size of a Floor Boss and abilities fitting that scale.

In particular, she felt something "impure" emanating from the female, though she did not realize what it was. The only certainty was that both had been extremely bothersome opponents.

"Wooooooooooooooo──!!"

While Ais was lost in her thoughts, the scent of monsters and bloody rust wafted through the air along with a roar that shook the corridors. Minotaurs appeared—humanoid creatures with bull heads that surpassed the other monsters in height and bulk.

Copper-colored skin, and a bull's head with two horns. Although they carried no weapons, their bulging muscles suggested immense combat power.

The most distinctive feature was the head; instead of a human face, there was a bull's head distorted by violence, with sharp fangs protruding like a predator's, and steam-like breath exhaling from its nose.

Upon seeing Ais and the others, the herds of Minotaurs lowered their bodies in preparation to attack, striking the ground with their feet. In an instant, they rushed toward them with explosive speed.

The Minotaurs attacked with blood-red eyes, but Tiona leaped toward them jubilantly.

She swung her greatsword (which she had received as a substitute for her weapon "Urga," which had melted) in a horizontal motion, sending the first Minotaur in the lead flying. The soaring monster collided with the rest and then smashed into the wall, becoming an immobile part of it.

Tiona continued to swing her sword with power, cutting down every monster that tried to approach. In the blink of an eye, the Minotaurs were scattered in pieces, their corpses falling to the ground.

Before Tiona's assault, the strongest monsters of the middle floors appeared completely helpless. This was natural; for the Loki Familia that explores the depths, the monsters of the middle floors represent no significant threat.

Ais and Bete joined the battle, and thanks to the power of the vanguard fighters, the monsters were crushed one after another. Normally, the leaders leave these battles to the lower-ranked members to gain experience, but they were in a hurry to bring information about the new monsters to the surface.

However, the numbers this time were abnormal.

Due to the leaders' activity, more than half of them turned to ash in moments. It seemed the rest of the Minotaurs (about dozens) were terrified by the power gap, so they turned tail and fled from Ais and the others.

"Whaaaat?!"

"What?! You're running?! You're monsters, for heaven's sake!!"

A Minotaur retreating... an utterly unfamiliar sight. Monsters usually act on instinct, and while intelligent monsters exist, a situation like this was a first.

Tiona and Bete were stunned for a moment, but they regained their balance and began the pursuit. The monsters of the upper floors meant nothing to them, and nothing would block their path to the surface.

However, there are other adventurers in the Dungeon besides them. For those people, a herd of rampaging and panicked Minotaurs represents a realized nightmare. Adventurers might be attacked because these monsters escaped.

For this reason, Tiona and Bete began chasing the fleeing Minotaurs at maximum speed. Tiona pursued them with her greatsword, followed by Bete, who was shouting curses.

The Minotaurs ascended the stairs leading to the sixteenth floor, and the panic-stricken herd disappeared in moments.

Tione clicked her tongue in annoyance and followed Tiona and Bete; Ais followed as well.

●○●○●

Damn it, dying at the hands of a worm would be a hideous scene, so I'll pass. No matter how desperate I am, I at least want to choose who kills me. Additionally, that female monster was destined to be defeated by Ais alone in the original story, so she never would have won against me while I was fighting seriously.

Anyway, what's with Ais? She's seemed gloomy since the battle ended.

It doesn't matter. More importantly, my brother Bell Cranel is about to have his "Encounter of Destiny." I began running after the Minotaurs that fled from us, "controlling my speed" to keep Ais in the lead.

To be honest, I still have plenty of mana and could wipe out the entire herd with a series of "Thunderbolts" without needing to run, but if I do that, the events of the original story won't begin.

Ah, there's Bell.

"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!"

And he's running now—not from the Minotaur, but from Ais. He's so fast. If he had run from the Minotaur with this speed from the beginning, it would have been better.

Anyway, here the original story finally begins. Although some details have started to fade from my memory, I haven't forgotten the perfect moments to initiate "Drama and Suffering."

Ah, I'm looking forward to it.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────

《Skill》

【Alcides - Way of the Supreme Hero】

Grants the right to execute a "Charge" for active deeds (such as magic or special strikes).

Corrects and enhances all Abilities upon activation.

The amount of enhancement is directly proportional to the charging time.

During the charge, the sound of a "Bell" echoes, raising the combat spirit of allies.


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