The flickering flames spread a soothing warmth throughout her body. Mikoto felt the world around her shift. It was as if she had escaped from hell and fallen into the embrace of heaven. So this is what the world beyond death looks like...
Mikoto pressed herself closer to the warmth. In the next moment, she noticed something strange. No... Is that the wail of a monster?! What echoed in Mikoto's ears was the savage roar of beasts. They had been slain by someone, their cries quickly turning into death rattles.
Starting with her hearing, Mikoto gradually regained her other senses. Pure white hair, a reassuring scent, an incredibly warm touch... In that instant, the world regained its color.
"What... ?!"
Mikoto, now aware, realized she was being carried on the back of a white-haired youth, moving forward.
"You're awake. I'm Bell Cranel. Entrusted by the god Takemikazuchi, I've come to rescue you," Bell explained, swinging his dagger and taking down an approaching Almiraj.
"Hmm? My name is Yamato Mikoto."
Mikoto was a bit disoriented, instinctively blurting out her name. She had seen Bell's combat abilities during the War Game, and the god Takemikazuchi often spoke highly of him.
"Bell-dono, where are my companions?!"
The first thing Mikoto asked, once her mind cleared, was about Chigusa and the others' safety.
"Don't worry. My comrades are carrying out a rescue operation on the thirteenth floor. They'll be fine," Bell reassured her. Thanks to the gravity magic from the black-haired girl, he had been able to track Mikoto's location by following the traces.
When the Takemikazuchi Familia was cornered, Mikoto had chosen to sacrifice herself to buy time for her companions' survival. Even wounded, the first thing she thought of upon waking was the safety of her comrades. Such a spirit was truly moving.
"Mikoto-san, please rest. I'll take you to your companions," Bell spoke gently.
"..."
Mikoto felt a slight sense of relief. As the weight of her worries eased, her thoughts drifted elsewhere. In her dazed state, the one who had been saved had clung to the boy. She had even buried her face into his back, breathing in his scent. The realization made Mikoto flush with embarrassment.
"Bell-dono, thanks to your rescue, I'm feeling much better now and can assist you against the monsters."
Mikoto hurriedly offered her request.
"I think you should rest. Even if your strength and injuries have recovered, you must be utterly exhausted now, right?"
Bell pointed out her current state. The near-death experience had taken a tremendous toll. Though she could barely fight, rest was the sensible choice.
"But..."
Mikoto couldn't voice her hesitation. Setting aside that reason, she also wanted to stand and fight, sharing the burden with the youth. Yet the scene before her left Mikoto momentarily stunned.
In this perilous dungeon, she felt as if leaning against a steady warship. The Almiraj swung its stone axe in attack, but the youth didn't dodge. With a mere flash of blue-violet blade light, the natural stone axe clattered to the ground amid the monster's wail.
Several Bad Bats screeched as they descended. Instead of retreating, the youth advanced, the Hestia Knife carving multiple afterimages through the air. Not a single monster was spared; they all dissolved into a cloud of black mist. Bell charged forward relentlessly.
"What...?"
Mikoto's eyes widened in astonishment. Even having glimpsed the youth's high-level technique through the divine mirror, witnessing it firsthand left her utterly stunned.
Within the narrow passage, Hard Armored Armadillos coiled their bodies and rolled at breakneck speed. The youth snatched an Almiraj, hurling it along with a stone axe. At the moment of impact, the deadly dagger followed close behind.
Perhaps the battle's clamor drew other monsters. Under faint phosphorescence, several Hellhounds glared with crimson eyes, gathering blazing flames toward the pair.
"Watch out!"
Mikoto cried out in warning.
Almost simultaneously—or rather, Bell's shout came a split second earlier.
"Firebolt!"
Quick-Cast Magic repeated. Five bolts of fiery lightning surged forth, striking the Hellhounds with pinpoint accuracy. Amidst the thunderous roar, black smoke billowed upward.
"..."
Mikoto froze in stunned silence. Despite the perilous Middle Floors and carrying a "burden," the boy moved with such effortless ease. He hadn't missed a single detail, hadn't exposed Mikoto to any risk. She hadn't even had time for worry or fear before the battle concluded.
"Mikoto-san, shall we push straight to the thirteenth floor?"
Bell voiced his suggestion.
"Mm....."
Mikoto murmured in response, still immersed in the astonishing battle.
Phosphorescent light flickered as the pair raced forward along the shortest path. Within this unknown passageway, Mikoto blinked, carefully tightening her embrace around the youth.
…
Thirteenth floor, within a secluded passageway...
"I see them!"
Welf pointed ahead and shouted loudly.
"Lili, keep watch around us. Cassandra, prepare to heal."
Daphne swiftly issued her orders.
The group stayed alert for monster attacks while joining up with the Takemikazuchi Familia. After explaining their intentions, the Takemikazuchi Familia led by Chigusa seemed deeply worried about their companion.
"Please, save her!"
"Please, we beg you!"
"..."
Lili looked at the anxious group and spoke softly:
"You said earlier that Mikoto fell into the 14th floor with the monsters, right?"
"Yes..." Chigusa replied, her voice trembling.
"Then there's no need to worry. Bell-sama has already gone to her."
Lili gave a faint smile, her face full of trust in the young man.
"Bell-sama will surely—"
Lili's words trailed off, interrupted by a sudden surge of pressure.
"W-what... is that?"
"An Infant Dragon?!"
"A rare monster from the Upper Floors—how did it get here?!"
Following Lili's gaze, the group saw a four-legged creature with a long tail and sharp claws charging straight at them. Though it lacked wings, its hard, reflective scales shimmered ominously.
"Lili, take the Takemikazuchi Familia and run! I'll hold it off here!"
Daphne made her decision instantly.
Infant Dragons from the Upper Floors were often considered alternative Floor Bosses by adventurers. Though their potential levels weren't high, this one had surprisingly appeared on the Middle Floors. Its fierce killing intent made it feel like the very embodiment of the dungeon's malice.
Daphne chose to sacrifice herself to buy time for the others.
"Run!"
Daphne drew her dagger, urging the others to flee.
"...Daphne-sama, we should fight it!"
Lili gripped the hem of Daphne's cloak, her voice firm.
"Are you mad? Fighting that monster will get us all killed!"
As the leader, Daphne had long accepted this fate. Her team had entrusted their lives to her out of trust. In this critical moment, she had to think clearly. Even if it meant sacrificing herself, she wouldn't hesitate.
"Lili knows how powerless she is! But if Daphne stays alone, no one will be happy!"
Lili lamented her own helplessness, tears flowing uncontrollably.
"Lili has learned so much—the relationship between the vanguard and the rear guard, the details we need to watch... So let's fight together..."
"We don't need to defeat it. Just buy time. If we do... that person... Bell-sama will surely come to our aid..."
Lili spoke through her sobs, her tears showing her determination.
"I agree with Lili. I've been wanting to test dragon materials, see what I can make," Welf said, stepping forward with a light chuckle.
"We're a team... I can't leave you behind..." Cassandra gripped her wand tightly, showing her resolve.
"Mikoto was saved by all of you. Let me be your shield," Ouka of the Takemikazuchi Familia raised his large shield.
"Mm... we'll fight with everything we've got..." Chigusa added.
"Exactly!" The rest of the Takemikazuchi Familia displayed their strong fighting spirit.
"Everyone..."
Daphne looked at their determined faces, lowering her head to think for a moment. "Lili, I'll take the vanguard in this team. Command will be yours."
"Got it."
Lili's mind raced.
"First, let's run to the open area ahead and to the right! Not only is it easier to maneuver there, but it's also the only path Bell-sama can take to return to the 13th floor!"
With Lili's words as a signal, the battle began in earnest.
The Infant Dragon roared incessantly, and the sound of clashing swords rang out nonstop.
Lili poured everything she had learned into the fight, doing everything she could to buy time.
In the heat of the battle, time seemed to slip away unnoticed.
Finally, a bell tolled.
That earth-shattering sound rang in everyone's ears, reverberating with powerful intensity.