Danma: Danganronpa, but Monster Hunter!

Seeing the pleading look in Ais's eyes, Lieyan's heart softened, and he couldn't help but raise his hand and gently rub the head of the blonde girl in front of him, who seemed a little anxious.

Having gained support, Ais stopped worrying and took a slow breath before walking towards the target group.

Meanwhile, Eina Zur and Bell, who were talking, also realized that something was wrong.

Strange, it seems like there are suddenly more people looking in my direction.

With this question in mind, Eina turned her head left and right, trying to find the source of this strange feeling. Then, when Eina, who was facing Bell, saw the person approaching behind Bell, her eyes widened.

The two were walking one after the other; the former was blonde with golden eyes, and was none other than the newly promoted LV6 Fiora who had recently sparked a huge discussion among Orario players.

The latter was as tall as a giant, and the Loki Familia crest deliberately displayed on his cloak spread out an illusory domain, driving away the surrounding adventurers. In her memory, there was only one being like this.

That was a mid-level adventurer who had only recently joined the Loki Familia. This adventurer was low-key and never fought with anyone, but she knew that, based on information from both the adventurers and the guild, this person's strength was extraordinary.

What are they doing coming this way?

Wait a minute... Come to think of it, didn't Bell inquire about that Fiora before? Could it be—

At the same time, Palum, who was carrying a huge backpack next to Eina, also noticed that something was wrong with her. Being good at reading people, she turned around to look at her.

"!!!! That's the emblem of the Loki Familia? Come to think of it, isn't that Sword Maiden in front of us?!"

The two figures reflected in her pupils made Lilyluka Erd exclaim in disbelief, while Bell, upon hearing the name she had longed for, froze as if petrified, and then entered a state of severe confusion.

"Ah... well, sorry, I suddenly remembered there are some things the God asked me to do at home that I haven't taken care of yet. Anyway... I'll be going now!!"

"Wait, Lord Bell?! You look like a wind-up toy soldier!"

With his body stiff, Belle had only one thought in his mind: to escape. He didn't even dare to look back, nor did he care about the advisors and companions beside him. He just stiffly waved his arms and legs, and in his panic, he even moved his arms and legs in unison. Just as Lily said with a bit of a dumbfounded look, he looked like a wind-up toy soldier swaying from side to side as he moved forward, which was ridiculous and laughable.

Lieyan was absolutely overjoyed.

But compared to the blazing darkness, Ais suffered a major blow.

The other party froze upon hearing my name and turned to run away. Could it be that I am some kind of monster in their eyes?

The little Ais in her heart curled up into a ball, feeling wronged beyond words.

Ais looked to the flames for help, pouting and looking aggrieved.

What if the other party tries to run away again?

What else can I do?

Chase!!

"Remember what I said? If the rabbit runs away—"

"Don't hesitate, chase after them."

Ais suddenly came to her senses.

Lieyan is right. They let the other party go the last two times. They absolutely cannot do that again this time. So, even if it means getting serious, she will bring the other party back!

Ais's golden eyes spotted the white rabbit taking off, and then she unleashed the power of the LV6 adventurer's legs, speeding away!

Like a strong gust of wind, Ais's figure instantly covered a distance of dozens of meters. In the blink of an eye, she had already surpassed the fleeing rabbit.

—This time, you're not getting away!!!

Chapters 1-3: Apology

"So, can anyone explain what's going on? What unforgivable crime have you committed, Lord Bell, that you've been captured and brought here by a Level 6 adventurer?"

In a shop in the Tower of Babel, a dwarf wearing a plain white hooded cloak rolled his eyes and complained about a white-haired boy whose face was full of panic and who looked like he might run away at any moment.

Upon hearing this, Eina Zul, a half-elf guild employee standing nearby, also shifted her gaze between the two people sitting opposite her and the two people next to her with a strange expression.

She doesn't understand the current situation either.

First, the Sword Maiden approached with members of Loki's Familia, then Bell escaped, and then Ais seriously captured the escaped Bell and brought him back. Then they were brought to this place, facing each other wide-eyed...

There wasn't a single thing about these things that she could understand.

But there was one thing she was sure of.

Fiora's side doesn't seem to have any ill intentions.

She had met this blonde girl once before when she went to the Loki Familia. She considered herself to be fairly good at judging people and could roughly sense that the girl did not have any ill intentions on her trip.

Judging from Bell's previous actions, it seems that he also has a secret relationship with Fiora.

only...........

Just a moment ago, Bell was excitedly asking me about Fiora, but why did he turn into a coward when she was actually in front of him? Where did your courage go when you asked someone to find out what your goddess likes?

With a hint of disappointment and frustration, Eina glared at the good-for-nothing Bell and coughed lightly.

Well, Bell is useless. And that little girl next to me doesn't know what's going on either. It seems like she'll have to take the initiative to break this deadlock.

After a moment's thought, Eina raised her eyes and looked at Ais, asking slowly in a tone like that of a guardian... no, it should be said that of an older sister who knows how to take care of her wayward younger brother:

"Excuse me, Miss Sword Princess, is there something you need from Bell?"

Ais gripped the hem of her combat suit. Being directly questioned about her purpose made her feel like an opossum caught by a predator; her body stiffened abruptly, and she had an urge to bury her head and play dead.

Although she acted without thinking under the Flame's instructions, the current situation was still too stimulating for her, who was not good at speaking and was naive.

Just as a wave of trepidation was washing over Ais, she felt a sensation on her arm.

She turned to look to the side, poked her flame through her cloak, and gave her an encouraging, gentle smile.

As if she had suddenly found a pillar of support, Ais's hesitation and doubts melted away in an instant, like snow exposed to the scorching sun.

You absolutely must apologize properly.

Ais made up her mind.

"sorry."

"Hmm... Hmm??" "Eh??" "Huh...?"

"It's all because I failed to defeat that Minotaur that I caused you so much trouble and hurt you so much. I've always wanted to apologize to you. I'm sorry."

Feeling guilty, Ais lowered her gaze, and her fingers, gripping the hem of her skirt, turned white from the force. The three people opposite her, however, wore various dumbfounded expressions in response to her apology.

The white-haired boy looked bewildered, the dwarf's pupils dilated, and a question mark appeared above the half-elf employee's head.

They were stunned, completely stunned.

Lieyan picked up the ice water on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

The next moment, the boy's voice rang out like a machine gun.

"No, that's not it! I shouldn't have underestimated my strength and recklessly ventured into the deeper dungeons. Miss Wallenstein did absolutely nothing wrong! On the contrary, I should thank you; you're my savior! Actually, I should be the one apologizing. I haven't properly thanked you; I've only ever been focused on running away... I'm so sorry!"

Bell's voice was anxious and hurried, as if a floodgate had been opened and he spoke at once.

Seeing the boy take the initiative and start apologizing to her, Ais was first startled, and then for some reason, a feeling arose in her heart that she couldn't describe, only that she felt very incredible.

"You saved me several times... I really thank you!"

As he spoke, the boy suddenly stood up, then abruptly bowed, his face almost touching the table, the flush under his tightly closed eyes spreading down his cheeks to his ears.

"He seems even more like a rabbit than I imagined..."

Seeing Bell's appearance, Ais couldn't help but have such thoughts. However, compared to these strange thoughts, what flowed through her heart was another wonderful feeling.

That was the feeling of relief after the doubts in my heart were answered.

Through the boy's actions, she realized that the rabbit boy was neither afraid of nor disliked her, and was even grateful to her.

It's great that the incident at the tavern didn't affect him.

Thinking about this made Ais very happy, and she couldn't help but smile broadly.

The starting point of romantic relationships for young boys and girls...

Seeing this scene unfold before his eyes, Lieyan felt a slight sense of emotion.

Sure enough, the candy at the store was delicious.

I'm fucking obsessed with this! I'm the number one DanMachi fanfic expert!

However, once things develop further and these people get together again, the scene will become quite delightful.

Flame smiled, anticipating the carnage to come.

Bell felt a chill run down his spine for no apparent reason. Following his instincts, he looked up and saw the cloaked, muscular man in front of him with his lips curled upwards, revealing a row of white teeth that looked quite frightening.

Bell: ...........

Seeing that things seemed to have come to an end, Eina breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, as if she had thought of something, she suddenly said:

"Oh, right, I haven't asked yet, Fiora, what about you and this person...?"

"I am the flame."

"Sword Maiden, you and Blaze are going to the dungeon, right?"

"Ah."

Ais nodded slightly, and Bell, who was standing next to her, also straightened up and looked at Eina.

“In that case,” Eina said, a pleading look on her face as she recalled the adventurers’ requests she had seen at the guild headquarters earlier that day.

"It seems there's an abnormal proliferation of monsters in the food storage on the 24th floor of the dungeon. However, we've only received information from a portion of the adventurers so far, and the guild is still investigating. It's a bit embarrassing to talk about... but could you please go to the 24th floor and find out what's going on?"

Chapter 124: Turmoil in the Labyrinth

"Monster proliferation on the 24th floor?"

Upon hearing Eina mention her and Flame's destination, or perhaps one of the floors of that destination, Ais tilted her head, her eyes becoming serious.

As Eina recounted the events, Ais and Flame gradually learned about what was happening on the twenty-fourth floor of the dungeon.

The incident itself is not difficult to understand; it is simply that adventurers reported that a monster proliferation had occurred on a certain floor of the dungeon, resulting in casualties, and requested the guild to issue an adventurer commission to clear out the proliferating monsters.

Monster proliferation is a common occurrence, and the guild has dealt with countless similar incidents in the past.

The only problem...