The group moved through the crowded streets, their path winding toward Central Square. Amid, Lili, Bell, Celty, and Kaguya walked in a loose formation, each caught in their own thoughts. The city was alive with its usual buzz—the clamor of merchants, the chatter of citizens, and the clop of hooves against cobblestone. It wasn't until the were approaching Central Plaza and the entrance to the Dungeon that they were approached by someone.

  "Celty." Riveria's voice was calm but carried a weight that made the words seem like a summons.

  "Lady Riveria, how may I assist you?" Celty asked, the words tumbling out quicker than she intended as her gaze flicked uneasily to Bell.

  The tension between the two was palpable, as Riveria's eyes flickered briefly to Celty before settling on Bell "I have a favor to ask. Have you seen Ais around?"

  "I… I haven't seen her, no," she replied, trailing off uncertainly.

  "She wasn't at training, either," Bell added, his voice steady but lacking the warmth it normally carried.

  Riveria's expression softened, but the flicker of disappointment in her eyes remained as she spoke. "I see. Thank you, Captain Cranel. If you should come across her, please let me know. I'll continue searching the city myself."

  Bell nodded. "Fine."

  "I appreciate it," Riveria said, her tone thoughtful as she turned to leave. She glanced back at Bell once more, her gaze lingering a moment longer than necessary. It was a silent plea, a hope for reconciliation that Bell could not return. With a final nod, Riveria walked away, blending into the flow of the city.

  Lili, who had been silently watching the exchange, finally spoke up. "You think she'll find Ais?"

  Bell's gaze remained fixed ahead, his thoughts elsewhere. "I don't know."

  Turning back to the group, Bell exhaled slowly, the weight of the moment settling in.

  "Amid," he said, his voice firm, "I'm sorry, but we're going to put raising your status on hold for now. We need to find Ais."

  Amid's face tightened, disappointment flickering across his features, but she said nothing and merely nodded.

  "Alright," Kaguya said from the rear, "We'll find her, then. Let's make sure we're ready when we do."

  The group moved toward the entrance to the Dungeon, their expressions a mix of determination and concern. Amid walked alongside Bell, while beside her, Celty adjusted her gear, her gaze darting between the members of the party as if gauging their readiness. Kaguya walked with an easy confidence at thee rear of the party.

  As they reached the entrance of the Dungeon, they spotted Aki leaning casually against the wall of the building. Her arms were crossed, but her eyes had been scanning the crowd for them. She pushed off the stone as they approached.

  "Finally found you," Aki said, her voice cool but tinged with relief. "I heard you were heading down today."

  Bell nodded as he spoke; "We are. There's a change in plans, though. Lady Riveria asked us to look for Ais. We'll start on the 10th floor and work our way down."

  Aki raised an eyebrow, her stance shifting slightly. "You think she went down here alone?"

  "Probably. She's frustrated," Bell replied, "Her growth must have stalled, and if I'm right, she's looking for a way to break through. Something like an Infant Dragon would be her target—dangerous, but possible. If she's not careful, though…"

  "She could get herself killed," Kaguya finished for him, her tone light but her gaze serious. "Bold move, hunting solo for a feat like that. Brave or reckless—hard to say with her."

  Amid glanced between the others, her hands tightening on the strap of her bag. "If she's truly alone, she may need us."

  Bell's expression softened for a moment as he met Amid's gaze. "Exactly. We'll move carefully, but quickly."

  Kaguya clapped her hands together with an air of finality. "Good. Let's move, then. No time to waste."

  The group entered the Dungeon, their footsteps echoing faintly against the rough stone walls as they descended. The air grew heavier with each level they passed, the familiar mix of tension and adrenaline settling over them.

  Bell led the group, keeping a watchful eye on the paths ahead. Amid followed closely behind, ready to use her healing powers if needed. Aki and Celty were positioned at the sides, their weapons at the ready. Lili walked in the middle of the group, while Kaguya brought up the rear. They moved cautiously, prepared for any potential danger that may arise.

  Meanwhile:

  The air in the Dungeon grew thick with the stench of sulfur and the sharp scent of blood. The stone walls of the 10th Floor seemed to close in as the massive creature loomed over the lone figure. A roar, guttural and deafening, shattered the silence.

  "RAWRRR"

  The monster, its eyes gleaming with a cruel, ancient malice, raised its long serpentine neck, towering above the girl. Its scales shimmered darkly as it gazed at the adventurer before it.

  "I FOUND YOU!" The voice that rang out was ragged, hoarse, its owner barely visible in the shadow of the beast.

  The girl didn't flinch. Her blonde hair, soaked in sweat, whipped behind her as she crouched low, her eyes locked on the creature in front of her. A flicker of determination sparked within her. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her body a blur of motion.

  "RAWRRR!" The dragon's roar split the air, its jaws snapping as it swung its massive head toward her. The sound of its heavy feet thundering against the stone floor reverberated through the Dungeon.

  Thud. Thud. Thud. Each footfall sent tremors through the ground, and the air seemed to vibrate with the weight of the beast's power. The floor beneath her shook as it charged forward with terrifying speed, its eyes locked on her as if it could feel the pulse of her blood.

  "GAHHH!" The girl's scream echoed, fierce and full of fury. She didn't hesitate—didn't falter. Her sword was drawn, its blade gleaming even in the dim light of the Dungeon. The edge of it caught the faint glow from the ceiling as she surged forward, her feet skimming across the ground, aiming straight for the heart of the beast.

  The creature's tail lashed out in a blur of motion, smashing against the stone with a deafening crack. She ducked under the blow, feeling the wind from it whip across her face. Her pulse pounded in her ears, but her focus never wavered. She was close now.

  The dragon's eyes narrowed, its chest swelling with a deep breath as it prepared to unleash its fire.

  But the girl was already there.

  With a roar that matched the beast's own, she dove forward, sword held high. The clash that followed was brutal, a flurry of scales and steel. Her sword bit into the thick hide of the creature, but it barely slowed the dragon's movements. The beast howled in pain, but the girl pressed on, dodging the claws that swiped at her, weaving through the violent storm of its attacks.

  After Bell and company have left:

  "Well. Well. Now that is a very interesting conversation." Eris paused, her eyes narrowing as she considered the exchange. Her fingers drummed lightly against vendor's stall, her thoughts shifting beneath the calm surface of her expression.

  Vito, standing a few paces behind her, tilted his head in confusion. "How so, Goddess? It seemed to me that the princess was merely ordering around another elf."

  Eris smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "Yes, that is how it would seem. But tell me, Vito… if the elf princess was talking to that other elf, then why was she looking Bell in the eyes the entire time?"

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Vito blinked, his brow furrowing in thought. He had not picked up on that detail. He had been focused on the more obvious parts of the conversation—the princess's sharp tone, the way she commanded respect. But now, with Eris's words lingering in his mind, he realized something. "I… don't know," he admitted, his voice uncertain.

  Eris gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Exactly. That is what makes this interesting. The princess's eyes weren't on the elf at all. They were on Bell. Tell me, Vito, how often does a member of Loki fmilia show such attention to a member of the Erebus familia?"

  Vito's silence spoke volumes. The two familias should have hated each other after everything that had transpired between the fractions over the years.

  "Vito," Eris continued, her voice taking on a more commanding tone. "Go follow them. See what happens. This… will be very interesting. That's what my intuition is telling me."

  Vito, never one to question Eris when she spoke with such certainty, nodded quickly. "Of course." Without another word, he turned and hurried off in the direction the group had gone, his footsteps fading into the bustling noise of the street.

  Alone now, Eris slowed her pace, her gaze lifting to the sky as she walked. She could feel the threads of fate weaving together, pulling toward something that she had yet to fully grasp. But she could sense it—something was shifting, something important. She wasn't the type to miss such things.

  Her lips curled into a sly smile. Schemes, plots, and manipulation, she thrived in the midst of them. But this… this was something new. The princess's strange focus on Bell, Eris didn't know what it meant yet, but she would find out.

  And when she did, she would use it to her advantage. Because if there was one thing Eris knew for certain, it was that every moment in the game could be turned to her favor, if only she was patient enough to wait.

  Dungeon 10th Floor

  Bell and his group cautiously made their way through the 10th Floor, carefully scanning the shadows among the sharp rocks and landforms. The Dungeon's eerie noises reverberated through the until, a different sound pierced through the air, a deep, guttural roar that thundered in their ears. It was soon followed by another, more primal human cry, followed by the clashing of steel against scales.

  Without hesitation, Bell's hand instinctively reached for his sword as he whispered, "This way." His companions nodded in agreement and they took off in the direction of the noise, their feet pounding against the stone floor.

  With each step, the sounds grew louder – metal clashing, monstrous cries. The tension in the air was palpable, practically vibrating with danger. But the group pushed on, moving faster and faster towards the source of the commotion.

  As they rounded the hill, they were met with a shocking sight, Ais standing alone in an open space, her blonde hair wild and matted with blood. In front of her stood an Infant Dragon, covered in deep wounds and lashing out with its claws towards Ais.

  The battle between them was fierce, but it was clear that Ais had the upper hand. With determination in her eyes, she dodged the dragon's attacks and delivered a fatal blow to its chest , directly into its magic stone.

  The Infant Dragon let out one final roar before collapsing into ash at Ais's feet. Exhausted and wounded, she dropped to her knees, her sword falling from her grasp.

  But then, just when it seemed like all danger had passed, a new sound caught their attention. A wall on the opposite side of the chamber began to tremble and crack. Soon after emerged a group of monsters from within the cracks – Infant Dragons, Silverbacks, Bad Bats, and Hard Armadillos.

  The first one to emerge from the crumbling wall was the baby dragon, its eyes glaring down at the girl in front of it. It seemed to recognize that she had just killed one of its own kind. With a roar that shook the air around them, it broke free and let out an angry cry.

  "RAWRWRWR!" The sound echoed through the Dungeon, causing the ground to tremble beneath their feet.

  Ais, still weakened from her battle with the Infant Dragon, struggled to rise to her feet. She reached for her sword but could barely lift it as the monsters closed in on her. As she rose Ais turned just in time to see the dragon whip its tail with lightning speed. The impact sent her flying across the floor as her ribs cracked and her body bounced off the hard ground. She crashed into several landform trees before finally coming to a stop, leaving a trail of blood in her wake. With the first strike the monsters began to close in

  Kaguya's eyes widened in horror at the sight of Ais being thrown like a ragdoll. Without hesitation, she sprinted towards her fallen comrade, her feet pounding against the Dungeon's floor.

  "Stay close!" she called out to the rest of the group as she moved swiftly and deliberately.

  The rest of the group followed quickly, Bell's eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding. He could already hear more monsters approaching - there was no time to waste. They needed to act fast.

  Kaguya reached Ais first, her sharp reflexes carrying her across the battlefield. With lightning-fast slashes, she took down each monster that circled around the fallen girl.

  "AMID. Start your chanting NOW!" Kaguya commanded, never losing focus as she cleared the area around Ais.

  Amid hesitated for a moment, fear and uncertainty evident in her wide eyes. "I can't do concurrent chanting yet," she admitted, her voice tight.

  "It's okay, I've got you," Bell reassured her firmly. Before Amid could protest, he scooped her up into his arms. Though embarrassed by this display, Amid didn't argue - there was no time for that. As Bell dodged an attack from a Silverback, Amid steadied herself and closed her eyes to begin the chant.

  Healing droplets, tears of light, eternal sanctuary. Compose a medicinal hymn—three hundred, sixty, and five. The melody of the healer's almanac saves all things.

  The words rang in the air.

  Bell wove through the monsters as Amid continued her chant, each syllable flowing smoother now. He could hear the sounds of combat around them, but his focus remained solely on getting to Ais. He could see her ahead, lying in a twisted heap. The sight made his stomach twist with dread.

  When they reached her, Bell's heart sank. Ais was barely conscious, her body covered in blood. Her arm hung limp at her side, and her right leg was bent at an unnatural angle. Blood trickled from her mouth as she coughed, her chest heaving with each shallow breath.

  Come, destruction of evil. The burial of wounds, interment of disease.

  Amid's voice, still chanting, rang clearly through the turmoil. Bell didn't hesitate. He gently set Amid down and immediately rushed to Ais's side, his hands moving with urgency. He rolled her over onto her side, his eyes scanning her injuries, making sure she wouldn't choke on her own blood.

  Curses be gone in the light of vitality. In the name of all that is holy - I heal you.

  Bell kept his hands on Ais, his breath shallow, as Amid's chant reached its crescendo. A soft, white circle of light began to form around them, glowing with a pure, calming radiance. As the circle solidified, the light radiated outward, and Ais's injuries began to heal. The wounds closed slowly, the bleeding stopping, her skin knitting back together.

  Ais stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Bell could feel the tension leave his body as she regained consciousness.

  "Bell… What happened?" Her voice was raspy, weak, but the edge of her usual strength remained. "I was fighting an infant dragon…"

  "You killed it," Bell said, his voice steady but filled with concern. "But a monster party spawned. One of them, another infant dragon, hit you with its tail. You went flying. Stay still. Amid's magic is taking care of your injuries."

  Ais winced, trying to push herself up despite her grogginess. "Good. I have to keep fighting." She tried to stand but her legs wobbled, her balance off.

  Bell stood frozen, his hand still extended toward Ais, whose eyes blazed. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her body trembling with exhaustion, but there was no surrender in her. She jerked away from him, shoving past his grip as if her very life depended on it.

  "Ais, you can't. We need to get you to the surface. You're in no condition to fight."

  "NO! I HAVE TO FIGHT!" Ais's scream shattered the tension, her voice raw with desperation. The force of her outburst made the group flinch in shock.

  Bell's heart tightened at the desperation in her voice.

  "Ais, please, we need to get you to the surface," he pleaded, his voice shaking. "You're in no condition to fight."

  But she didn't listen. Her jaw clenched, her fists tightening in the air, and with a sharp cry, she surged tried to break Bel's grasp. Bell was stronger, though—he caught her arm before she could get more than a few steps.

  "Ais," he said again, softer this time, pulling her back, his voice full of regret. "Your weapons, your armor—they're destroyed. You can't—"

  Ais froze, her breath hitching. Her gaze snapped to him, wide with disbelief. She stared at his hands, holding her firmly but gently, then up to his face. Her pulse quickened as realization hit her like a crashing wave.

  Bell's Status had surpassed her own substantially.

  She couldn't break free, couldn't move. Bell's grip, though gentle, was unyielding. A single thought possessed her as her mind reeled.

  "How?" she whispered, more to herself than to him, though he heard it clearly.

  Bell shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, his eyes darkening slightly. "I'm sorry, Ais," he murmured, the words thick in his throat. "I... can't tell you that."

  The silence hung heavy between them. Ais's lips pressed into a thin line as she stepped back, the reality settling in like ice in her veins. She wanted to argue, to demand an explanation, but the words stuck in her throat.

  She turned sharply, not bothering to look back. Her feet moved on their own, her body still aching, but she couldn't stop now.

  Bell let her go. He didn't try to stop her again, but his heart ached as he watched her move toward the tunnel that led upward.

  "Thank goodness. I was worried there." he muttered under his breath, his voice barely a whisper.

  "And you should be," came a voice from behind him.

  Kaguya's face was severe as she fell into step beside him. "I've seen that look before. The one she had when she left." Her gaze flicked over to the others, who were already hurrying ahead to catch up with Ais. "It's a look of obsession."

  Bell merely looked at the ground as he averted his eyes.

  "So you noticed too, huh, Little Rabbit?" she asked

  "Yeah," Bell said, exhaling in frustration. "Ais is always pushing herself too hard."

  "The same could be said of you, you know," she said, and before Bell could protest, she slung an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into a hug.

  Bell's eyes widened, a stuttered "What?!" escaping his lips as Kaguya pressed his head against her chest.

  Her arms were surprisingly gentle, her touch not teasing but soft as she ran her fingers through his hair. He was too stunned to do much more than blink, his mind short-circuiting from the unexpected warmth.

  "You should learn to relax," Kaguya murmured, her voice quiet for once. "You push yourself too hard, too."

  Bell blinked, flushed, and awkwardly shuffled his feet, not quite sure how to react. "Th-thank you, Kaguya. I... I'll try."

  She smiled down at him, her hand giving his shoulder a brief, comforting pat before she let go. Her usual mischievous air was still there, but now there was something else—a quiet understanding. They both understood that Ais wasn't the only one pushing too far. Without another word, the two of them turned and began walking back toward the others.