The three of us walked side by side toward the towering structure that dominated the heart of Orario—Babel. The path was lively, filled with adventurers carrying weapons, merchants shouting their prices, and gods' children chatting cheerfully in groups. Eriri kept glancing around with wide eyes, clearly overwhelmed by the sight of beastmen, elves, dwarves, and even pallums mingling freely in one place. For someone who used to live in a modern world like ours, this was the kind of scene that felt like stepping right into a fantasy painting.
As we approached the base of Babel, its sheer scale became impossible to ignore. The white tower rose so high it seemed to pierce the heavens, as if it were the very place that allowed the gods to descend into Orario.
At its base, the Guild building was built seamlessly into the structure—grand, orderly, and filled with the scent of parchment and ink.
Beneath this very tower lay the entrance to the Dungeon, the gateway to both fortune and death. The place that would make us stronger—the very starting point of our journey to save the world, just as the administrator had said.
"This way..." Bell said, leading us through the crowded guild hall until we stopped in front of a counter where a half-elf woman sat, flipping through a pile of papers.
"Eina-san, can I ask for your time? Since our Familia has a new member!" Bell said with a bright, almost childlike grin.
The woman looked up, and her emerald eyes widened slightly in surprise before softening with a gentle smile. Eina Tulle was a beautiful half-elf with silky brown hair that reached her shoulders and long, pointed ears that peeked through her strands. She wore the standard guild uniform—a white blouse with a gray vest and tie, matched with a neat skirt that gave her a composed, professional air. Despite her calm demeanor, there was a warmth in her expression that immediately made her approachable.
"Oh? A new member already?" she said, tilting her head slightly. "That's quite fast, Bell. And... two people at once, no less?"
Her curious gaze shifted toward Eriri and me, a faint hint of concern mixed with her polite smile. "Well then, I suppose introductions are in order?"
After that, Eina began explaining the basics—how the Guild operated, how Familia reports worked, and most importantly, how the Dungeon functioned. Her voice carried a tone of experience and care, the kind that made you realize she had probably lectured Bell about this more times than she could count. Eriri listened carefully, while I couldn't help but notice how Eina treated Bell almost like a younger brother she had to constantly keep out of trouble.
In the end, she finished her explanation with a familiar line that I'd heard many fans of the series repeat in my old world. Adventurers shouldn't go on adventures. That was Eina's motto. It might sound contradictory, but what she truly meant was, "Be prepared, don't rush in, and make sure you come back alive."
She then smiled teasingly and rested her chin on her hand. "But Bell, you must be happy, right? Getting to work with two cute new party members like them?"
"Th-that's…" Bell stammered, his face turning crimson as he waved his hands in panic.
Eriri crossed her arms and smirked, clearly enjoying his flustered reaction. "Ara, Bell-kun, you're pretty easy to read. Maybe you are looking forward to adventuring with us?"
"It can't be helped," Bell said with a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "This is my first time diving into the Dungeon with a party. It feels… different, you know? Like I'm actually going on a real adventure this time."
Eriri chuckled softly at his honest answer. She was two years older than Bell, and it showed in the way she teased him so naturally—like an older sister playing around with a younger brother. Then again, Bell had this kind of aura that just made people want to tease him. Well, most of older woman like him after all.
After wrapping things up with Eina, the three of us finally made our way toward the great tower of Babel once more. Passing through the entrance that led underground, I felt a strange sense of awe and tension mix inside me. The air grew heavier, cooler—the faint glow of magic stones embedded in the walls illuminating our path as we descended deeper.
The first floor of the Dungeon opened before us like a massive stone labyrinth. The walls pulsed faintly with blue light, and a low, almost heartbeat-like hum filled the air. It didn't take long before we encountered our first enemy—a lone goblin crawling out from the shadows, its beady eyes locking onto us.
Bell gripped his dagger tightly. "Alright… this is it. Stay behind me!"
"Wait, we came here to adventure and train, so please, let us try fighting," I replied, stepping up beside him and tightening my grip on the short sword the system had given me. My heart was pounding — my first real fight in this world.
Eriri, however, looked completely calm. She flipped open her sketchpad, her pencil moving in a blur. Glowing trails of mana followed every stroke, forming an intricate outline that seemed far too complex for how quickly she drew it. Within seconds, the shape solidified — a sleek, silver weapon I instantly recognized.
"Wait… is that… a gun!?" I blurted out, eyes widening in disbelief.
Eriri smirked, tapping the side of her creation as if to check its balance. "Well, it's just a concept from my imagination. But if magic can make it real… why not?"
Before either of us could react, she raised the mana-forged firearm. The gun itself wasn't large — compact, elegant, and perfectly sized for Eriri's hands — yet it radiated a faint blue glow that hinted at its power. A bright magic circle flared around the barrel, humming with energy. Then, bang! A glowing bullet of condensed mana shot forth, piercing the goblin cleanly between the eyes. The creature let out a brief shriek before collapsing into ash, leaving behind a faint wisp of smoke and a small, glittering magic stone on the ground.
Bell just froze, his jaw dropping. "W-what was that!? That wasn't even a spell—"
Eriri lowered the weapon, a smug smile tugging at her lips. "Art Creation. Simple, right?"
I couldn't help but laugh softly, both impressed and slightly annoyed. "So much for our first fight…"
"Ah, sorry," she said with an innocent shrug. "Guess I got carried away."
At that moment, I realized just how dangerous Eriri's ability really was. The weapon might only exist for a short time, but its destructive power was undeniable. Once again, it reminded me of countless isekai stories I'd read—where people from another world often ended up as overpowered heroes or walking cheat codes. And judging by that single shot, Eriri might just be one of them as she still can be much stronger.
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Each chapter is about 1,000-1,200 words, and I'll post whenever I reach that mark. Sundays are my day off, so no updates then.
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