Chapter 321

Chapter 324: Single-minded Yearning? (Please Subscribe!)

Deep within the seventh level of the Dungeon, a predictable betrayal was unfolding just as Ize had anticipated.

Experienced adventurers nearby would surely notice the peculiar change in the surrounding monsters.

The signature creatures of the seventh level—the Murder Ants—were gradually congregating in one direction.

Their destination? A group of six adventurers.

More precisely, four burly adventurers had cornered two young girls inside a cavern.

If this were another scene, it might resemble a standard scripted storyline… but alas, these crude adventurers cared for nothing but money.

Surrounded by the other four adventurers, the white-haired, red-eyed girl was clearly protecting the small-sized supporter behind her.

Had things not gone awry, Bell Cranel would have considered herself lucky today.

After all, various events transpired on the tenth level of the Dungeon, leading to a series of experiences. Eventually, she managed to reconcile with her supporter, Liliruca Arde.

However, they hadn’t even begun their return journey when they encountered fellow adventurers who intended harm.

These individuals were from the same Familial Group as Liliruca. Bell, having heard everything from Liliruca on the tenth level, knew exactly what they planned.

They intended to lure monsters, threaten them for money, and perhaps even betray them afterward.

It seemed like a sound plan. Ganu and his companions from the Soma Familial Group had done this countless times before, always succeeding. They were seasoned offenders.

But reality was cruel.

The situation had unexpectedly reached a stalemate.

The strength of the white-haired girl far exceeded their expectations.

With effortless precision, the Murder Ants charging at her were disintegrated by a small black knife glowing with blue-purple brilliance. She even had the spare capacity to wield Fire Magic with her other hand to intimidate them.

Neither side dared make a move as the cavern filled with more Murder Ants.

Dying Murder Ants instinctively call for reinforcements; one could summon an entire swarm.

How much worse then, with Ganu’s reckless actions allowing three dying ants to scream uncontrollably?

Inside and outside the cavern, Murder Ants filled every available space.

“Flame Volt ——!”

“BOOM!!!”

Explosive flames formed a wall.

The middle-aged beastman Ganu, inching closer toward Liliruca’s backpack, was once again forced back by crimson flames, along with the restless Murder Ants around him.

“Damn it! White-haired brat!! What benefit did Arde give you?! Why are you protecting her?! Is it money? I’ll pay you double! Just cooperate, and we’ll talk!”

Hearing Ganu’s stubborn insistence, Bell’s gaze turned cold as she tightened her grip on her precious black dagger.

“There’s no benefit or reason. I simply want to help her.”

Girls are emotional beings, especially when they set their minds on something, like Bell—a girl yearning to become a hero.

This was evident from her skill:

Skill: “Single-minded Yearning”

· Absolute conviction and aspiration to become the kind of hero found in adventure tales.


· Maintains effects alongside her aspirations; the stronger her yearning, the stronger the effect.


· Immune to “Charm.”

This skill was the direct cause of her rapid growth and the biggest secret between her and Hestia.

Because of this skill, Bell’s Ability Values had soared far beyond those of seasoned adventurers like Ganu who usually operated in the upper levels.

“Tch! You damn white-haired brat!!”

Seeing his persuasion fail, Ganu lost his temper, blinded by greed.

At this point, Gud, who had joined their trio midway, couldn’t take it anymore.

“Enough! Enough! You’re all insane, aaaahhhhhh!”

He had merely temporarily joined the team and wasn’t part of the Soma Familial Group. The notion of negotiating over money amidst a monster siege was incomprehensible to him.

Gud cursed under his breath, running past Ganu’s smirking companions, and made a beeline for the only entrance not yet blocked by Murder Ants, fleeing the cavern in a flash.

“Hey, Ganu… We can’t hold out much longer. Let’s retreat!”

“If we don’t leave now, we won’t be able to later!”

His comrades struggling against the encroaching Murder Ants cried out in anguish, underscoring the dire situation.

In this predicament, Ganu’s face contorted in frustration, his eyes fixated on Bell’s mysterious black dagger.

Its unique design, radiating strange patterns during attacks, indicated it was a priceless enchanted weapon!

That’s it!

Just seize that! With it, all the Murder Ants here would be powerless!

And it must be worth a fortune!

Believing he’d found the solution, Ganu’s eyes gleamed brighter, recklessly lunging forward to snatch the dagger from Bell.

“What!? ”

“BOOM——!!”

In the next moment, accompanied by a dull thud, an ominous golden rock pillar erupted from the ground, sending him flying backward until he slid to a halt behind his two companions.

Squeak squeak squeak…

From a corner of the cavern, the Murder Ants began retreating instinctively, avoiding the adventurer who had suddenly appeared.

“Arriving early is less fortunate than arriving opportune, isn’t it? Quite the show.”

Without manifesting any evil aura, Ize casually entered the cavern, holding a cat in one arm with an amused expression.

“!”

Ais remained silent, her glare at the Soma trio intensifying. Swinging her arm lightly, the Sword of Despair unsheathed with a resonant ring, serving as a warning.

“…Mr. Ize!?!”

“The hell?! Ize? Which Ize?!”

Unlike Bell, who felt relief at seeing a familiar face, Ganu, still dazed from being thrown, identified Ize as the one who had thwarted him earlier. His tone was explosive.

“Hmm… Besides me, does Orario have another adventurer named Ize? …What do you think, Ais?”

Ize’s tone and manner mirrored Commissioner Di: Yuanfang, what do you think?

“I… am not Yuanfang…”

Puffing her cheeks slightly, Ais glared at him.

Having listened to his stories about Commissioner Di in her free time, Ais remembered that Yuanfang was a little dwarf with big ears.

“Hey! Ganu, it’s Ize Alward from Loki Familia!”

“It’s the [Sword Princess] Ais Wallenstein beside him!!”

“!?!”

The cry of his companion snapped Ganu back to reality.

Bathed in the phosphorescent glow of the cavern, the sight of those two blonde figures sent shivers down his spine.

“Le-le-leveled One Adventurers —— !!”

Even someone as foolish as Ganu realized the gravity of his mistake.

“Aaagh! Aaaaahhhhhhh!”

Not daring to resist, Ganu scrambled away in panic, fearing capture and retribution.

Seeing their leader flee like a coward, the remaining duo had no choice but to follow suit.

Through the same exit Gud had taken, the three disappeared around the corner like stray dogs.

Not long after.

Beast-like wails echoed throughout the area. Following a cacophony of violent clashes, the screams abruptly ceased.

Even Bell, the least experienced adventurer present, had some inkling of what transpired deep within the channel where giant ants continued to pour forth.

For those who had lost their sanity, it seemed fitting justice.