Dungeon Exploration Trip 2

  Morning rose on the Midnight Garden, casting a soft, golden hue across the tranquil expanse. Bell began to stir, feeling gentle fingers running through his hair.

  "Good morning, Bell," Alfia said, her voice soothing as she continued to stroke his hair.

  "Good morning, Auntie..." Bell responded, blinking sleep from his eyes. He looked up to see his aunt smiling warmly at him.

  "Come now. It will be time for breakfast soon. We have a morning of training, and then you have another Dungeon trip with that Blondie and the hyenas," Alfia reminded him, a hint of sternness in her tone.

  "Auntie, please try to be nice to them," Bell implored. "They are the first friends I made, and they looked after me."

  Alfia sighed, her expression softening slightly. "I know that, sweetie. Don't worry, I won't upset them. They still have a long way to go before I acknowledge them."

  Alfia rose from the bed, finishing her affectionate gesture. "Time to get up, Bell."

  Bell nodded, waiting for Alfia to leave the room before he changed and went to get breakfast. The meal was simple but hearty, preparing him for the morning ahead. After eating, Bell and Alfia headed to their training ground.

  Ais arrived shortly after, and the trio began their rigorous training session. Alfia's instructions were sharp and precise, pushing Bell and Ais to their limits. The sun climbed higher, marking the passage of several hours as they continued their intense practice.

  Eventually, the Astrea familia arrived leading to the spilt in the group with one going into the Dungeon while the other began their training under Alfia.

  Guild Dispatch Quest: Defeat the Monsters Dungeon Mission

  After the grueling training session, Bell and Ais made their way towards the Dungeon, with Kaguya and Neze keeping a watchful eye on Bell. Given Alfia's warning, Ais left a few minutes before the rest of them to get a head start and to avoid being seen with Bell as much as possible. The trio entered the bustling Guild Hall, filled with adventurers. The air was thick with the scent of leather and sweat, mingling with the buzz of excited conversations. Bell's eyes were immediately drawn to the Dispatch Quest board. He weaved through the crowd, eyes scanning the myriad of quests posted.

  "What are you looking for, Bell?" Kaguya asked, her curiosity piqued by his sudden focus.

  "I'm hoping to find some interesting quests we can take on," Bell replied.

  Neze nodded in agreement. "That's a smart idea, Bell. It's always good to earn some extra valis." She watched as Bell's eyes darted over the flyers and posters.

  After a few moments, Bell's eyes lit up. He pulled out a flyer with a bold title that read:

  Guild Dispatch Quest:

  Upper Floors 5-9 Defeat the Monsters

  This is a regularly scheduled quest issued by the Guild. We would like you to go the specified floors and defeat some of the monsters residing off the regular path between levels.

  Given there is set route adventurers take to the next floor this quest serves two purposes:

  1. To provide the Guild with better understanding of the Upper Floor's current status

  2. And cull the monster population in the less traveled areas before they cause issues.

  Since the Guild is conducting the research, you can take any drop items you find.

  Guild Reward: 20,000 Valis to be split between party members.

  Bell finished reading the quest and handed it to Ais. He raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "What do you think, Miss Kaguya?"

  "That should be a fine challenge for you," Kaguya responded

  Together, they made their way over to the receptionist desk, scanning for an available spot. Bell's eyes roved the counter, finally landing on a striking redheaded werewolf who was currently had her back turned towards the counter. As they approached, she finished and turned back to the counter.

  "May I take on this quest, Miss...?" Bell asked, handing the flyer to the receptionist.

  "I am Rose Fannett, Mr. Cranel," she replied, studying Bell's appearance before glancing at his companions. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the Astrea familia with Bell. "Are you certain you are capable of completing this task? You are a new adventurer, after all. It would be troublesome for me to process a failed quest."

  Bell met her gaze steadily. "I appreciate your concern, Ms. Fannett, but I have permission from my aunt to venture to the 10th floor as long as I have a group with me."

  "Your aunt must have considerable faith in you, then. Very well. I will process your request. If you fail, I'll just have someone else handle that paperwork," Rose remarked nonchalantly as her eyebrows arched slightly before she filled out the necessary paperwork. "The total reward will be split between the four of you. Is that satisfactory?"

  "Yes, I understand," Bell replied, taking the completed forms from her, and stowing them away.

  With the quest officially accepted, Bell, Kaguya, and Neze left the Guild Hall and made their way to the bottom floor of Babel, where the entrance to the Dungeon loomed before them. Ais joined them as they approached and was informed of the quest that Bell had accepted.

  "Good idea…oh" Ais murmured, as she cut herself off and started patting herself down.

  "What's wrong, Ais?" Bell asked, turning back towards her.

  "I just recalled Alise's rules, so I was checking my potions," Ais explained, her head tilting slightly to the side. Bell's face contorted into a mask of horror.

  "There is no need to worry about Alise's rules," Bell said, trying to mask his nervousness as sweat began to bead on his forehead. He glanced at Kaguya, who had developed a Cheshire cat grin and was eyeing him like she had found a new toy.

  "Now, now, Bell. I am sure our wonderful and brilliant Captain imparted a great deal of wisdom. As such, I need to know what these 'rules' are so that I can ensure they are properly followed." Kaguya's voice was smooth but firm as she fixed Bell with a piercing gaze. Neze, standing beside her, grinned wolfishly at Bell, causing him to gulp audibly.

  Ais, oblivious to Bell's discomfort, dutifully repeated the rules she had heard from Alise. Each word made Bell fidget and squirm more under Kaguya's intense stare.

  "Ara, ara. I happen to wholeheartedly endorse the captain's rules," Kaguya declared, her voice dripping with false sweetness. She pulled Bell into a tight hug, her lack of a breastplate causing Bell's face to sink into her bosom. As Bell's face was pressed against Kaguya's ample bosom, her scent of jasmine and sandalwood began to fill his nose. Sensing immediate danger, Bell began to struggle to escape. However despite his frantic struggles, he couldn't break free from her grasp.

  "Don't worry, Bell. I will make sure to watch you very closely," Kaguya teased, her voice a purr in his ear.

  Bell's face flushed a deep crimson as he tried to escape. Neze's chuckle cut through the tension, and she stepped forward with a smirk.

  "As entertaining as this is, we do have a quest to complete and we both have patrols tonight. We should wrap this up as soon as possible."

  "Thank you, Miss Neze," Bell cried out, his voice tinged with relief and embarrassment. He turned to face Neze, tears of gratitude in his eyes.

  "Pft... Bell, you really are too adorable sometimes," Neze said with a chuckle, petting Bell on the head while he remained trapped in Kaguya's bosom, his face flushed with embarrassment.

  Nearby, several parties of male adventurers passed by, glaring at Bell with obvious jealousy. Mutters of discontent could be heard, but whenever Neze or Kaguya caught these whispers, they fixed the offender with a steely gaze until he looked away and shrank back in fear.

  "Right, time to get going," Kaguya announced, finally releasing Bell. She shot one last death glare at a passing adventurer, who immediately averted his gaze and hurried away.

  Bell heaved a heavy sigh of relief, stepping back to regain his composure. He began checking his weapons and equipment, ensuring everything was in place for their quest. Kaguya and Neze watched him, their expressions softening.

  "We have a long journey ahead," Neze said, her tone more serious. "Let's make sure we're all ready."

  Bell nodded, fastening his sword securely and adjusting his pack while Ais did the same. The group cautiously stepped into the Dungeon, Bell's heart racing with a familiar sense of unease. As he crossed the threshold, a shiver ran down his spine, feeling as if the very walls were warning him. The air was thick with an oppressive energy, making it seem as though the Dungeon was actively rejecting their presence.

  "So, the first four floors aren't part of the survey. Our focus should be on floors five to nine, where we will scout some of the longer routes that lead to the next floor," Bell proposed as they moved through the first floor. "These routes are less traveled but still lead to the same destination. Since this quest requires us to scout two different routes on each floor, my suggestion is to do one on the way down and then the second one on our way back up. What do you think, Ais? And what about Miss Kaguya and Neze?"

  As Bell finished speaking, a pack of goblins suddenly appeared from a side corridor and attacked.

  "Gospel," Bell chanted, and one of the goblins exploded into a cloud of ash, its screech cut off before it could fully escape.

  "That works," Ais said approvingly, slicing through another goblin with her sword.

  "Good plan, Bell," Neze added, delivering a well-placed kick that sent a goblin flying into the wall. It disintegrated into ash without a sound

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Kaguya nodded. "Yes, that is a fine plan. The return trip will be more difficult, but we're here to support you."

  A goblin charged forward, growling fiercely. When the creature was within a meader of Kaguya, her sword flashed, and the blade sliced cleanly through the air, decapitating the creature. The goblin's head tumbled to the ground with a sickening thud, and the body convulsed briefly before turning into a pile of ash.

  "Okay, then let's plan on that," Bell said, feeling a sense of determination.

  With their plan set, the group began their descent, ready to face the challenges ahead.

  Floor 7 (Yes, I intentionally skipped to Floor 7.)

  The group descended through the floors, cutting down hordes of monsters along the way. Neze and Kaguya took a back seat, allowing Ais and Bell to take the lead and set their own pace. They only stepped in when necessary to prevent the pair from being overwhelmed. There intervention was limited mostly to the softening up of potentially troublesome monsters. As they navigated the levels, Bell and Ais moved with improved teamwork, their movements becoming more synchronized with each battle. Finally, they approached a Y-intersection, each path branching off into unknown directions.

  Skitter. Skitter. Skitter.

  The unnerving sound of something skittering across the floor echoed through the tunnel, causing Bell and Ais to freeze in their tracks. Their senses on high alert, they carefully scanned their surroundings, trying to pinpoint the source of the noise.

  Skitter. Skitter.

  The noise seemed to be getting closer, coming from the branch on their right. Ais and Bell pointed their weapons, training them on the branch, ready for whatever might emerge.

  Skitter.

  The sound came again, louder this time, like claws scrabbling against rough stone. The air hung heavy with tension as they waited, weapons at the ready, for the creature to reveal itself. From the shadows, a grotesque creature with multiple legs and a chitinous shell emerged Giant bone-crushing mandibles clicked and clacked menacingly as six skittering legs propelled the creature toward them. Its thick exoskeleton gleamed a deep blood-red in the dim light of the Dungeon.

  "A killer ant," Bell gasped, his eyes fixed on the massive insect before them.

  "Be careful, you two. The killer ant is known as a newbie killer for a reason," warned Kaguya, her stance shifting to intercept the monster if necessary. Though they had defeated many other killer ants before, this creature remained a formidable foe. Overconfidence was fatal in the Dungeon.

  "We will, Miss Kaguya. Ready, Ais?" Bell asked as he leveled his sword at the monster.

  "Hmph," Ais replied with a nod, her weapon mirroring Bell's readiness.

  "CHCHCHCHCHC!" The killer ant screamed, its enormous mandibles snapping menacingly as it charged toward them.

  Bell dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Ais leapt into action, her sword flashing as she slashed at the creature's armored body. The blade connected with a resounding clang, before bouncing off the ant's exoskeleton.

  "Aim for the joints, Ais!" Bell's voice rang out as the ant lunged at him, its mandibles snapping. Bell swiftly sidestepped the attack and swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming for the weak points in the ant's exoskeleton. As Bell's blade made contact with a joint in the ant's leg, the creature let out another shrill scream.

  "CHCHCHC" The ant screeched, frantically clicking its mandibles and trying to attack Bell.

  Bell dodged and weaved as he continued his assault on the giant insect. He ducked and rolled to avoid its next attack, then sprang back up and swung his sword once more, this time aiming for the ant's fragile legs.

  The killer ant reared back as its mandibles snaped with a menacing hiss. Ais moved in at this opening and her sword arced through the air connecting the ant' vulnerable neck. In a heartbeat, the ant's head was several and its body soon disintegrated into a cloud of ash.

  Neze, who had been watching from the sidelines, clapped in approval. "Good work, you two. That was excellent teamwork." Neze reached down and retrieved the magic stone that had been the target of their training.

  Kaguya nodded, her eyes scanning both Ais and Bell for any signs of injury. "Yes, quite good. It's clear that your training is paying off."

  Bell took a swig from his water flask and nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you both," he said, his voice carrying a note of genuine gratitude. Ais gave a simple nod in response.

  "So, we've encountered an unusually high number of killer ants recently," Bell said, directing his question to Neze and Kaguya.

  Kaguya nodded, her eyes scanning the surrounding area. "Yes, it's true. While you two have managed these encounters well, for a typical adventurer, this would be a significant challenge. Killer ants are formidable opponents, especially for newcomers. The current rate of encounters is higher than usual. If these ants were to start moving in larger numbers, it could lead to serious problems and casualties. This situation should definitely be reported to the Guild. They might even send an extermination squad."

  Ais's eyes widened at the mention of an "extermination squad." She quickly turned to Kaguya, her desire bubbling over with questions. "What's an extermination squad? How do you join? What level do you have to be to qualify?"

  Kaguya's patience wore thin at Ais's barrage of questions continued until finally Kaguya brought her sheathed katana down onto Ais's head, stunning her into silence. Ais looked up, her expression a mix of surprise and irritation.

  "That's enough, little girl," Kaguya said firmly, her eyes locking onto Ais's with a stern glare. "You're far too young and inexperienced for an extermination squad. You don't need to worry about such things."

  "tch," Ais muttered, clearly displeased as she glared back, her teeth clenched in defiance.

  "WHY you little.." Kaguya began before Neze, having observed the exchange with a mix of exasperation and amusement, interjected,

  "Okay. Okay. We've got a quest to finish, remember?"

  "Fine," Ais grumbled, moving back to join Bell at the front of their group. She threw one last glare over her shoulder at Kaguya before refocusing on the task at hand.

  The group pressed onward, their steps echoing through the dimly lit corridors of the Dungeon, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

  Floors 9-10:

  The group reached the entrance to the 10th floor, their faces etched with the fatigue of their journey. Bell and Ais, their armor scuffed and dented from numerous encounters, leaned heavily on their weapons. Ais's sword bore the marks of repeated use, its edge no longer as sharp as it had been.

  "Well, we've finally made it to the entrance of the 10th floor," Neze said, her tail twitching, "Good job getting here. We've hardly had a chance to do anything."

  "Thanks, Miss Neze," Bell replied, taking a deep breath and a long drink from his canteen. The water refreshed him, if only momentarily.

  "Hpm. Thanks," Ais muttered.

  Bell glanced at Kaguya and Neze. "I was thinking of taking a quick look at the 10th floor before we head back. Is that alright?"

  Kaguya and Neze exchanged glances but nodded in agreement.

  "Go ahead," Kaguya said with a sigh. "We'll stay close, just in case."

  With a nod, Ais eagerly followed Bell as they stepped onto the 10th floor. The landscape shifted dramatically from the dark, stone corridors they were used to. The walls here were covered in yellow moss, and the floor was dotted with patches of short, green grass. The light that filtered down from above cast an almost sunlit glow over the area, though the effect was somewhat dimmed by a thick, misty haze that rolled across the ground.

  Bell and Ais moved cautiously, their senses alert for any potential threats. The mist made the terrain difficult to navigate, reducing visibility and adding an eerie quality to the new environment. Kaguya and Neze followed closely behind, their readiness for sudden surprises evident in their tense postures. The group had scarcely taken more than a few steps onto the 10th floor when the ground shook with the force of approaching roars.

  "GRGGRGGRGGRG"

  "GUGGUGGUGGUG"

  "GAWRGAWRGAWR"

  Three distinct, thunderous roars echoed through the fog, each one growing louder and more menacing. The group quickly fell into formation.

  Large, shifting silhouettes emerged from the mist, their massive forms casting long shadows that danced across the ground. The impact of their heavy footsteps resonated through the floor, sending tremors up through the adventurers' boots. From the fog, the orcs emerged—hulking creatures, their eyes gleaming with a predatory focus on the new intruders.

  "Well, Bell?" Kaguya's voice cut through the tension as she placed a steady hand on her katana, her gaze locked on the advancing orcs. "What's the plan?"

  Bell glared at the monsters before he responded. "I want to fight, but we need to split the forces. Can you and Neze handle the other two? Ais and I will take on one."

  Ais nodded in agreement.

  "Very well," Kaguya said, her voice firm. "I'll only intervene if it seems like you're in imminent danger." Neze, standing beside her, gave a quick nod of confirmation.

  With the plan set, Ais and Bell moved to the right, while Kaguya and Neze veered left to engage the other orcs. The orcs, seemingly entranced by the sight of fresh prey, charged forward. One of the orcs, a particularly large specimen wielding a massive club, barreled straight toward Bell and Ais. The ground trembled beneath its steps, and the air crackled with anticipation.

  "Ais, we need to target its legs and bring it down," Bell instructed, his voice steady amidst the chaos. Ais gave a determined nod, and they both sprang into action. They darted to opposite sides of the charging orc, preparing to come at it from either side

  The orc, confused by their sudden movement, hesitated for a split second. That was all the opening Bell needed. He dashed forward, his sword flashing as he aimed a strike at the orc's right leg. The blade bit deep into the tough hide, drawing a howl of pain and rage from the creature.

  Ais seized the next opportunity, her own sword slicing through the air and finding its mark on the orc's left leg. The monster stumbled, its balance thrown off by the twin attacks. It swung its massive club wildly, trying to fend off the duo.

  Bell and Ais danced around the orc as they continued their assault. They weaved in and out of range, striking at the creature's legs whenever an opening presented itself. The orc grew more and more frustrated, its attacks becoming increasingly erratic.

  In the distance, the sounds of battle echoed as Kaguya and Neze engaged the other two orcs and quickly dealt with them. The clang of steel biting flesh and the roars of the monsters filled the misty air. But Bell and Ais remained focused on their own opponent.

  With a deafening THUD, the massive orc slams its club into the ground, sending a thick cloud of dust billowing into the air. Bell having been in the midst of charging forward, decided to continue the attack but as he enters the dispersing cloud, he sees the Orc's club hurtling towards his and braces himself as he is unable to dodge.

  While Bell parried the orc's club, avoiding a direct hit, the force of the impact knocked him backwards, sending him tumbling through the air before crashing to the ground with a thud of his own. His head rings and his vision blurs as he struggles to regain his footing and continue the battle.

  "Bell" Ais screamed as the orc lunged at her, its massive frame regaining its footing.

  She frantically dodged the creature's grasp, narrowly avoiding its outstretched claws and snarling teeth. But just as she thought she had escaped unscathed, the end of the orc's club caught her body and sent her flying through the air, leaving her gasping for breath on the ground. The sound of bone crunching and metal clashing echoed in the chaos of battle as Ais struggled to stand.

  "Okay. That is enough." Kaguya says and an instant later the orc's head fell to the ground.

  Its body crumpled lifelessly to the ground, dark blood seeping from the stump of its severed neck before disappearing into ash. Kaguya flicked her blade to the side with a deft motion, sending droplets of blood splattering to the dirt. Kaguya exhaled slowly and slid her sword back into its sheath with a satisfying hiss of metal.

  "Well. That isn't a bad attempt. You did fairly well." Kaguya's words were laced with a hint of surprise as she administered a potion to Bell, who Neze had helped over, then turned her attention to Ais, to whom she also administered a potion.

  "We should make our way back up now," Neze spoke up, her voice tinged with worry as she surveyed Bell and Ais. "Though we did take a detour to the 10th floor, we still have the reaming half of the quest."

  "Sure. Let's go." Bell complied while he ground his teeth quietly in frustration.

  "GRRR." Ais grits her teeth in frustration but followed the others.

  The group ascended back to the 9th floor, their footsteps echoing through the corridors as they resumed their exploration of the second route. The atmosphere was marked by a tense efficiency, their previous encounter with the orcs still fresh in their minds.

  The second route presented no further complications. As they finished their work, relief was evident on their faces.

  Returning to the surface, they made their way to the Guild. As usual Ais departed from the group early to avoid bustling hall was filled with adventurers discussing their latest exploits, but the group headed straight for the counter.

  "We'd like to submit our report," Bell said, handing over the detailed account of their findings. "We've completed the assigned tasks, but we need to address an unusual situation."

  The clerk glanced up from the paperwork, nodding for them to continue.

  "We've encountered an abnormal number of killer ants," Bell explained. "The frequency of these encounters is far above what is considered norm. It's something that could pose a significant risk if the pattern continues."

  The clerk raised an eyebrow, taking note. "We'll pass this along to the appropriate department. We will likely issue an extermination quest soon if it is deemed appropriate. Thank you for your diligence. The information will be useful."

  With their report submitted, the group exchanged a few nods of satisfaction before they left the Guild.