Dawn had arrived as usual in Orario, sweeping away the remnants of last night's Holy Moon Festival joy.
Many people had just woken up, yawning widely, and began preparing for the new day.
The streets slowly began to bustle, morning food aromas replacing festival fragrances, and remnants of dimming lights still hung as memories of last night's festivities.
Then, without any warning, a world-shaking natural phenomenon occurred, halting all activities.
The sun hadn't risen yet, and the full moon was still clearly visible in the sky. However, this time's sight was truly beyond the ordinary. Two moons appeared simultaneously in the sky.
The presence of that strange second moon radiated such a suffocating aura. Even the most insensitive person could feel something was very wrong, something beyond their comprehension.
Throughout the lower world, confusion and fear struck mortal beings. They stared at the sky with gaping mouths, wondering if this was a bad omen, a miracle, or the end of everything.
However, for the gods and goddesses scattered across the world, they immediately recognized that sight. They instantly understood the true nature of that second 'moon'.
"What's happening?"
"If I'm not mistaken... that's Artemis's arrow, right?"
"This is so strange... Why hasn't she been sent back to Heaven after using power of that magnitude in the lower world? Her Arcanum must have been unsealed to create such a manifestation."
"Wow, if that arrow is actually released, I'm sure the lower world will experience a disaster worse than any Dungeon Break in the past."
"Seriously?! Oh no! If that happens, won't we lose our playground?"
"..."
Various contrasting reactions emerged from gods and goddesses scattered across the world.
Some were indifferent and unconcerned as if it wasn't their business, but there were also those showing odd excitement, deep anxiety, to unbridled unease.
The majority of gods and goddesses, regardless of their eccentric nature, didn't want something truly bad to befall the lower world. Not out of compassion, but because of simple self-interest: where else could they seek entertainment to banish their eternal boredom?
Heaven?
Don't joke!
Heaven was an extremely boring place for those who had inhabited it for uncountable years. If not, they would never have descended to the lower world.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Throughout the world, all eyes were fixed on the terrifying sky phenomenon.
The second moon, which had now transformed into a giant bow with a perfectly nocked light arrow, aimed precisely toward the planet.
The bowstring formed from countless interwoven magic circles continued pulling back, creating maximum tension ready to explode massive destruction.
When that moment arrived, the resulting impact would devastate the world.
There was no truly safe place.
Even the mysterious and unfathomable Dungeon would likely suffer severe damage, though perhaps not completely destroyed.
After all, if the Dungeon that had survived since ancient times could be easily conquered, it would have long been annihilated by the combined forces of various Familias throughout history. Most likely, only the shallower Upper Floors would collapse, while the not-yet-fully-explored Deep Floors would survive.
However, for humanity and surface civilizations, the threat was extinction.
Even the gods might be forced back to Heaven in long sleep after their mortal bodies perished.
Truly a cruel irony!
However, amid that global panic, Charlie standing firm at the Elsos Ruins didn't glance at the sky at all. His focus was completely locked on Antares.
"Bell! For now, don't interfere!"
"Huh? What are you thinking, Charlie-san! Just from its aura alone, I know this monster is very dangerous! There's no way I'll let you face it alone!"
Bell immediately rejected Charlie's words firmly. His kind heart didn't allow him to just watch while someone else risked their life.
Charlie glanced slightly at the white-haired youth.
"Listen, Bell. The higher an adventurer's level, the harder it is for them to level up. Do you know why?"
Without waiting for an answer, he immediately answered his own question.
"Great Achievements and high-quality Excelia. For High Class Adventurers, achievements must be far more monumental than just killing strong monsters. They often must defeat opponents theoretically impossible to defeat at their current level, or survive in extreme life-or-death situations. The higher the level, the rarer the challenges considered worthy enough by the gods to trigger a level up."
Welf and Lili felt somewhat called out. Their mindset—like most adventurers—tended to seek safe zones, avoiding unnecessary risks. That's why their progress was far slower compared to people like Bell or Charlie.
Ignoring their inner turmoil, Charlie continued explaining.
"Although Falna functions as an experience container of equal size at each level, obtaining quality Excelia becomes more difficult for strong adventurers."
"Monsters on the Dungeon's Upper Floors no longer provide much experience for Level 5 or 6 adventurers. They must descend to far deeper floors like Lower Floors or Deep Floors where the risk is very high even for First Class Adventurers."
"In short, to stimulate status growth and achievements, Upper Class Adventurers must keep taking high-risk missions. Many Upper Class Adventurers ultimately die before they can reach their level's peak potential, so the number of people who can actually reach Level 6 or 7 is very few in the world."
Charlie then pointed at Antares still radiating a suffocating oppressive aura.
"This monster... Antares, who has devoured Goddess Artemis... Don't you think it fulfills all the conditions I mentioned? An impossible opponent? A life-or-death situation? A rare and high-quality challenge?"
His eyes sparkled with determination that looked almost greedy.
"How could I pass up a golden opportunity like this? It's rare to find such a good chance for growth! I won't let it slip away!"
"..."
Bell could only be stunned, his mouth wide open in amazement. In his eyes, Charlie standing challenging that giant scorpion monster looked so heroic and extraordinary.
However, on the other side, Artemis still groaning in pain tried to reach for Bell's hand with her remaining strength.
"Orion... Don't listen to him... Antares can only be defeated by Orion's Spear in your hands..."
Her voice was full of despair and urgent pleading, trying to pull Bell back to the destiny set for him.
"Artemis-sama..."
Bell was again trapped in a tormenting dilemma between following Charlie's logic or the Moon Goddess's prophecy.
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