The city of Orario, built atop the sprawling underground labyrinth known as the Dungeon, is home to all kinds of people.
But there's probably no one as unusual as the boy I'm currently teamed up with–Bell Cranel.
We happened to register as adventurers at the same time, and by chance, we ended up diving into the Dungeon together. Bell is a strange kid: white hair, red eyes, and a vibe that somehow makes you think of a rabbit. He seems to be chasing encounters within the Dungeon.
At first, I thought,"What the heck?" But after listening to him, it became clear his upbringing was the cause. He dreams of harems and"male fantasies", goals most people wouldn't even consider.
Yet, just because he dreams about that stuff doesn't mean he's some kind of pervert. On the contrary, he's pretty innocent, which only shows how oddly mismatched this boy really is.
By the way, all this info came straight from him. Whenever I asked, he honestly answered. Too honest, in fact, he seems like the type to fall for scams immediately.
Anyway, right now, me, Toki Ortyx, 14 years old, and Bell...
'Vvvoooohhhhhh!!!'
"Hyaaaahhhh!!"
We're being chased by a Minotaur.
After finally becoming an adventurer just two weeks ago, we got cocky and descended all the way to the fifth level. Big mistake.
"Why the hell is a Minotaur here? Aren't Minotaurs supposed to appear on the 'middle floors,' Bell?"
"Forget that! Just run!!"
Yeah, he's right.
Then I realized something important.
"Bell..."
"What!?"
"If we don't turn at this corner, it's a dead end..."
"What?"
Sure enough, we found ourselves cornered.
"Damn!"
I spin around to face the Minotaur head-on. Taking a closer look at the enemy: over two meters tall, armored with thick muscles, massive horns on its head. Its main weapons are those three. But with the huge difference in stats, our attacks don't even scratch it.
At least, not normally.
I have the weapon, or rather, the skill, to injure this thing. But the question is...
(Is my skill enough?)
Before I can think further, the Minotaur lunges forward, hooves raised to claim our lives.
(No time to hesitate!)
I concentrate my magic at my feet,
In that instant, a sharp line appeared across the Minotaur's torso.
"...Huh?"
Bell, I, and the Minotaur all make dumbfounded sounds.
The line spreads, cutting across its chest, arm, calf, foot, shoulder, and neck, one after another.
The monster I had prepared to fight desperately simply collapses, its life ending quickly.
Then a huge spray of blood splashes toward us.
"Whoa!"
I instinctively shield myself in shadow to avoid the spray, resuming the action I had stopped earlier.
After protecting myself, I deactivate my skill and look up at the person who defeated that beast.
"...Are you alright?"
It's someone even a newbie adventurer like me knows.
Golden hair that shines, a lithe figure, beautiful golden eyes. From the [Loki Familia], known by the title"Sword Princess", her name is...
"Ais Wallenstein..."
"Uh... are you okay?"
Her voice pulls me back to reality.
"Yes, I'm fine…"
"Hyaaaaahhh!!"
Something whizzes right past me.
"...Huh?"
The thing was red and shaped like a person.
I look around, my friend who was just here is gone.
Q: What was that red thing?
A: That was my friend, Bell Cranel.
"Ais Wallenstein, thank you so much for your help! Excuse me!"
I bow sharply, then sprint after Bell with all my might.
I can still catch up, I have to!