Chapter 24 - Is the dungeon changing? (Patreon)

Kael and Bella then quickened their pace. They made their way through the entire 16th Floor, killing only a few monsters along the way, before proceeding to the 17th Floor. Just like the 16th Floor, the one below it had also made Bella feel somewhat uneasy.

The number of monsters was abnormal, and groups of monsters were appearing frequently. However, Kael and Bella weren't the only ones encountering these groups and noticing the changes in the Dungeon.

Every adventurer on that floor and the floors below had noticed that something was wrong.

The Dungeon had begun to change, and this was starting to frighten the experienced adventurers. After all, they were capable of noticing every change and understood just how dangerous it could be.

Even the gods didn't know everything about the Dungeon. They didn't know everything it was capable of or what lay at its deepest point.

When Bella and Kael finally reached Rivira, Kael didn't even have time to admire everything in front of him. He simply followed Bella as they walked across the green grass toward the city.

As soon as they arrived, rumors began circulating.

“Hey, have you noticed that the number of monsters has increased? They seem stronger, too.”

“My group fought a Minotaur on the 16th Floor, and it seemed stronger than usual. We can normally kill one in a few minutes, but this time it took us much longer than expected.”

“I encountered a group of Hellhounds, and their fire magic was stronger. And don't even get me started on their speed. Does the Guild already know what's going on?”

“Didn't this only start happening today? It happened so suddenly. I remember exploring the 10th Floor and everything was normal, but once I reached the 15th Floor, everything changed.”

“But everyone's already talking about it. I'm sure all the gods will be informed soon.”

Listening to those conversations, Kael began to feel a little nervous.

After all, it was impossible not to wonder whether all of this was his fault. These changes had started happening after he began exploring the Dungeon.

'No, but there weren't any strange rumors during the first few days. It's like that guy said: this only started happening today. I hadn't explored such deep floors before. Maybe everything started changing after I passed the 15th Floor... Am I overthinking this?'

Bella noticed that Kael seemed lost in thought and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“The rumors. Haven't you been listening to all this?”

“I've noticed the changes in the Dungeon, too. Anyway, ignore all of that. Let's get some food and restock our supplies before heading back.”

“Don't you want to explore deeper floors?”

Bella heard Kael's question and replied, “I don't want to die. Something strange is happening, and I don't want to take unnecessary risks.”

“I understand.”

Kael agreed with Bella's decision.

It was better to head back.

####

After Bella and Kael finished filling their bags with food and refilling their water bottles, they stopped to rest at a restaurant. After placing their orders, Bella fell silent as she looked around.

She was listening to the conversations of the adventurers nearby.

Many of them were talking about the changes taking place in the Dungeon.

However, she didn't say anything to Kael. The two remained silent for several minutes, until their food finally arrived. Once their meals were served, Kael and Bella began chatting about random things.

They didn't focus on the changes in the Dungeon, but rather on the battles they had fought.

Bella gave Kael plenty of feedback and offered several useful tips. She also made it clear that she wanted to train with him in the future. She wanted to fight against him because she thought it would be an interesting experience.

Kael said he would gladly do that. It would be a good experience.

After finishing their meal, Kael and Bella left the restaurant and soon departed from the city. However, before heading back, Kael asked Bella if they could walk around that floor for a little while.

He was curious about its structure.

It was almost as if they were outside.

After walking some distance away, Kael looked back toward the city, which stood at the foot of an enormous tree. The tree stretched all the way to the Dungeon's ceiling, which emitted a bright light.

It was as if there were a sun inside the Dungeon.

“It's beautiful. I wonder how something like this could have been created.”

“Nobody knows how it was created. Not even the gods.”

“Yes, I know. And that's frightening, isn't it? If even the gods don't know how this place was created, what could be behind it all?”

“I simply don't like thinking too much about things like that,” Bella said, sighing afterward.

If she kept thinking about things like that, she would go crazy.

There were many things in the world that nobody could explain.

Kael looked at Bella and said, “I'm a curious person, so I really want to know who created all of this. I want to know what's at the bottom of the Dungeon. It might take a long time, but I want to reach it someday.”

“...” Bella realized that Kael was being serious, so she decided not to say anything. She didn't want to discourage him. However, she didn't believe Kael would ever be capable of reaching the bottom of the Dungeon.

Even with his special ability, it would be incredibly difficult.

“Let's go. We've already been down here for many hours. The Goddess must be worried.”

“All right,” Kael replied.

The two then made their way back toward the 17th Floor.

Instead of walking, Bella was running. However, she held herself back enough for Kael to keep up with her. They encountered monsters along the way, but didn't come across any groups.

Because of that, the return journey was easier than the descent.

Even so, it took a long time.

They had entered the Dungeon in the morning, but by the time they came out, it was already nighttime. They had even missed dinner.

Kael and Bella stopped at a restaurant to eat and bought some food to take back to Hestia.

Kael then said goodbye to Bella.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Sure. See you tomorrow.”

Bella walked away, and Kael sighed as he watched her back.

He turned around and began walking toward the inn. However, before he could go any farther, someone called out to him.

“Kael!”

It was someone who knew his name.