Chapter 540 - 540: Poisonous Mist

The monsters' anguished cries echoed through the passage. Compared to their shrill, eerie wails, even the swings of the massive axe were beginning to sound sluggish.

Bell walked through the 28th Floor of the Dungeon, having decided to tell Finn about his plan.

Riveria had not come with him. Although she and the boy had enjoyed a brief moment of intimacy, the fact remained that her Mind was nearly exhausted.

Bell told Riveria to rest and headed alone toward the entrance to the passage on the 28th Floor.

Poisonous mist filled the air, while the first-class Adventurers led by Gareth were locked in fierce combat.

Bell found Finn and explained what he intended to do.

"Bell Cranel, are you really confident you can pull this off?"

Finn thought for a moment before asking.

The most troublesome characteristic of the [Poison Vermis] was that, much like Virga-type monsters, killing them did not eliminate the danger they posed. The latter released corrosive fluid capable of damaging weapons, while the former produced highly dangerous poisonous mist.

Unless someone had an antidote made from specific materials or powerful Healing Magic on the level of the Dea Saint, any party member with low [Abnormal Resistance] would lose the ability to move after being exposed to the mist. Without prompt treatment, their life could even be at risk.

Finn had originally planned to wait until everyone finished resting, then take the risk of forcing a march all the way to the 18th Floor before deciding what to do next.

Bell, however, had proposed another solution.

The expedition party was currently caught in a difficult situation. If everyone worked together and luck remained on their side, they might be able to carry the wounded and somehow make it to the 18th Floor.

But the possibility of someone dying could not be reduced to zero.

The Adventurers capable of resisting the venom were already exhausted. Bete and the others were only managing to hold back the monster waves because they had the advantage of the terrain and were pushing themselves to the limit, burning through sheer fighting spirit.

If someone as fast as Bete were sent back to the surface for reinforcements or more antidotes, the current defensive line would collapse almost immediately.

"Yes. The monsters themselves aren't especially dangerous. The poisonous mist is the real problem. I'll definitely come back with good news."

Bell answered firmly.

He refused to simply accept that risk.

Someone in the expedition party might die. It could be a person Bell had never even spoken to, or it could be one of the girls close to him.

Either way, the danger was the same.

That was why Bell had decided to eliminate it.

"All right. I won't stop you. But you've used up quite a lot of Mind too, haven't you? Are you really sure you can make it all the way through?"

Finn warned him.

"Don't worry about that. I know my own condition better than anyone."

Bell did not mention the existence of the [Lunatic Light].

Under Artemis's protection, even though he had repeatedly assisted Loki Familia and dealt with unexpected situations throughout their return journey, his Mind had been continuously recovering. The effect was probably comparable to a fairly high rank of [Spirit Healing].

"I understand. Let me ask you one more thing, Bell Cranel. Why are you willing to take this risk?"

Finn looked into the boy's crimson eyes, as though he could see flames blazing within them.

"Why... Aside from wanting to eliminate the danger, like I said before..."

Bell looked toward the camp and remembered the tenderness he had enjoyed only moments ago.

Black tights.

A refreshing fragrance.

Soft warmth.

And gentle words carrying a trace of embarrassment.

Riveria had said,

"Back when you first met Ais, I even encouraged her to give you a lap pillow. Thinking about it now, I'm actually a little jealous. I'm starting to regret suggesting it."

"It's only a lap pillow. What's so different about it? You really know how to sweet-talk me... Still, hearing you say that makes me happy."

"Honestly, I've already told you that flattering me won't get you anything. Besides, there's nowhere to bathe here, so I probably smell a little strange, don't I?"

"A floral scent? Impossible... Don't deliberately sniff me. Are you some kind of pervert like I am? I'll get angry, you know..."

"Hehe. There's nothing wrong with being a pervert... That's certainly an unusual way to put it. It seems we both understand ourselves rather well."

"I forgot to say it earlier. I like this side of you too. Please take care of me for the rest of our lives, pervert Bell..."

Riveria's bashful words became a beautiful emerald flower, preserved deep within the boy's heart.

Bell looked back at Finn, the corners of his mouth rising into a smile.

"Maybe... I just want to look cool in front of a girl who likes me."

"..."

Finn froze for a moment, then broke into a hearty smile.

"I see. That's certainly important. Bell Cranel, have a safe trip."

After finishing their conversation, the two headed toward the entrance to the passage together.

Bell passed through the poisonous mist and stepped over the grotesque corpses of monsters until the raging battlefield came into view.

"Argonaut-kun! You can't come over here, it's dangerous!"

Tiona swung her enormous double-bladed sword and cleaved a malformed monster in half. Poisonous fluid sprayed across her body, but the Amazoness girl paid it no mind. She still wore her usual cheerful smile.

[Abnormal Resistance] was an extremely important Development Ability that allowed Adventurers to withstand deadly poisons.

Like the acquisition of Skills, its growth depended on the Adventurer's experiences rather than simply increasing alongside their level.

From Tiona's perspective, a boy who had only been an Adventurer for a little over two months naturally should not have been able to withstand the poisonous mist.

Reality, however, made her eyes widen.

"Tiona-san, thank you for worrying about me, but I'm fine."

Bell stepped over a monster corpse and continued straight ahead.

Not only did he show no symptoms of poisoning, there was not even the slightest hesitation in his movements.

"Huh? Argonaut-kun, that's amazing!"

Tiona stared at him in surprise.

Development Abilities grew extremely slowly. Even among the Adventurers of Loki Familia who had several years of combat experience, many still could not withstand the potent venom of the [Poison Vermis].

Yet Bell, a newcomer, was completely unaffected.

Tiona could hardly believe it.

"Hey. I don't know what's going on with your [Abnormal Resistance], but what the hell are you doing here, rabbit brat?"

Bete kicked one of the monsters away, grimacing at the disgusting sensation beneath his foot.

Even if Bell could resist the poison, joining the battle here would still be difficult.

The stairway was narrow enough that three Adventurers could hold back the monster wave. Adding another person would only make them get in each other's way and create unnecessary trouble.

That was why Finn had arranged for them to rotate positions. After a while, Finn, Ais, and Tione would replace the three currently fighting.

"I'm going to the 27th Floor."

Bell gave a brief answer.

To ensure the expedition party's safety, this defensive line could not be allowed to break.

Bell's operation required him to go alone.

"Hah?! What the hell are you talking about?!"

Bete shouted in disbelief.

Beyond the staircase lay the [Water City]. Judging by the sheer number of monsters, the area ahead had to be extremely dangerous.

Bell was only Level 3.

Charging in alone would be far too risky.

"Bete, let him through. I've already decided."

Finn immediately gave the order.

He trusted the boy completely.

Once Bell stepped into the poisonous mist, Finn carefully observed his condition, and the last of his concerns disappeared.

The higher the rank of [Abnormal Resistance], the stronger the toxins an Adventurer could endure.

In Finn's eyes, Bell had already overcome the most troublesome obstacle, the poisonous mist. That made the chances of the remaining operation succeeding extremely high.

"Boy, I don't know what you're planning, but let this old man lend you a hand! OOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!"

Gareth glanced at the determined boy.

He raised his massive axe, using his battered yet powerful body like a wall as he pushed rapidly up the stairway.

In only a few moments, Gareth carved open a bloody path for Bell.

"Thanks."

Bell seized the opportunity, raced up the stairs, and charged toward the 27th Floor.

"Argonaut-kun, be careful! If anything happens, run straight back! I'll be waiting for you here!"

Tiona's worried shout followed him.

"Hey!"

Bete watched the boy disappear farther into the distance and couldn't help cursing.

"Finn, what the hell is going on? If he's going to get reinforcements, couldn't you send someone else?!"

"Reinforcements? When did I ever say anything about that?"

Finn watched the large swarm of monsters chasing after Bell and slowly continued,

"Bell Cranel... is going to deal with the monster wave by himself."