Every morning in Orario always began with a resounding bustle echoing from the foot of the Babel Tower. As the sun crept higher, adventurers of various races, ages, and genders began to crowd the large plaza in front of the iconic tower. They all shared a single purpose—the Dungeon.
Amidst the throng, burly Dwarves wearing heavy armor and carrying massive axes on their backs could be seen mingling with humans wielding longswords and steel spears. Graceful Elf walked with light steps, clad in ornate combat attire and carrying elegant magic staves. Even demi-humans with animal ears and furry tails were not left behind.
The clanging of tal, whistles of admiration, and even the panicked cries of novice adventurers descending into the Dungeon for the first ti all beca part of the symphony of adventurer life in Orario.
However, amidst that lively atmosphere, there was one team that stood out so conspicuously—not because of commotion or noise, but precisely because of the opposite.
Three figures walked slowly towards the Dungeon entrance. A young man in the middle, flanked by two girls whose beauty compelled even seasoned adventurers to stop in their tracks just to gaze at them.
The man wore no armor or carried any weapons on his body. His attire was rely a casual white shirt, comfortable black pants, and light shoes as if he were taking a leisurely stroll, not heading towards the most dangerous place in the world. He was none other than Charlie Avalon.
On his right, walked a girl with fine white hair flowing like snow, skin as white as milk, and clear violet eyes that stared blankly. Est. Her face was completely expressionless—flat, as if the world around her held no aning. She wore a simple dress with touches of white. Her hand gripped Charlie's arm tightly, showing no emotion... yet her dependence on the man was palpable.
On Charlie's left, walked a woman who made even the proud Elf feel inferior. Aishia. Her peach-colored hair cascaded down to her knees, shimring softly in the morning sunlight. Her matching jewel-toned eyes gazed at the world with silent curiosity. Her beauty felt like a painting, cold and unreal, yet no one could resist looking at her. Although her face appeared calm and almost emotionless, there was a gentle sincerity in the way she walked beside Charlie, as if he were the center of her world.
However, despite Aishia and Est both possessing unparalleled beauty, not a single adventurer in the crowd dared to bother them. There were no flirtatious whistles, casual greetings, or crude invitations like those usually experienced by beautiful female adventurers in Orario.
It wasn't that the n weren't interested, but rather that they knew who the two girls were with.
Charlie Avalon!
Although the Denatus—the eting of the gods to bestow aliases upon outstanding adventurers—had not yet begun, Charlie's na had already spread widely among adventurers, both novice and veteran. His achievents in defeating the Ishtar Familia had made him a figure not to be provoked easily.
The three of them approached the large hole that opened up on the ground floor of the Babel Tower—the entrance to the first floor of the Dungeon. However, just as they were about to step down, a voice called out to them from behind.
"Wait a minute! It's too dangerous to enter the Dungeon without any preparation!" A young man exclaid.
Charlie and his two companions turned around.
A few ters behind them stood a young man with white hair as well. He looked slightly out of breath, perhaps from running after them. His body was slender, of dium height, and his eyes were clear—as clear as his intentions.
Both had white hair, but the impression they gave was vastly different.
Charlie appeared mature and reliable, soone who had seen too much. anwhile, the young man in front of him looked naive, innocent, with a childlike aura that made him easily trusted… and easily fooled.
However, Charlie recognized that face.
The Child of Destiny of this world—Bell Cranel!
"I-I know it's none of my business, but the Dungeon is a very dangerous place. I know you look calm and confident, but... if you go in there unprepared, it could kill you!"
Bell continued, becoming more earnest, "I've almost died in there several tis! And that was with weapons and armor, along with my party mbers. The Dungeon won't show rcy to anyone. In fact, the more you underestimate it, the faster you'll die."
His gaze then fell on Aishia and Est standing beside Charlie.
"And you're bringing girls with you... What if they get hurt? I know this might sound preachy, but please reconsider. You can co back tomorrow, with better equipnt. With weapons, armor... and without endangering others."
A mont of silence hung in the air after Bell finished speaking. Several adventurers nearby who had overheard their conversation began glancing with curiosity, but no one dared to interrupt.
Charlie stared at the young man for a mont. In fact, he had crossed paths with Bell several tis. However, he hadn't taken the initiative to form a relationship, worried that his presence would affect Bell's growth.
"Thank you. You're a kind person. But don't worry, we'll be fine. I may not be ard… but that doesn't an I'm not carrying weapons."
As he said that, Charlie glanced at the expressionless Est beside him.
'Where are his weapons? Why can't I see them?'
Bell looked at him in confusion. His gaze swept over Charlie's body from head to toe.
No sword. No dagger. Not even combat gloves or arm guards.
Just comfortable casual clothes—sothing more suitable for a stroll than fighting monsters.
When his eyes accidentally t the two girls standing calmly at Charlie's side, Bell froze.
Aishia, who stared at him with a flat face and jewel-like eyes, seed too beautiful to look at for too long. Her elegant and mysterious aura made Bell feel like he was gazing at a goddess descended from the heavens. anwhile, Est, with her white hair and calm, emotionless expression, looked like a living porcelain doll.
Instantly, blood rushed to Bell's face.
"Uwah?! S-sorry!" He exclaid panickedly, his face as red as a tomato as he hurriedly bowed, trying to hide his embarrassnt.
"I-I didn't an to... L-look like that! I an, I just... uh...!"
Seeing Bell's overly embarrassed reaction just from being looked at by Est and Aishia, Charlie was speechless.
"Are you alright?" He asked, surprised by the young man's behavior.
Bell hurriedly nodded, although his face was still flushed.
"Anyway, thank you for your concern. By the way, I'm Level 4. Even without weapons, I have my fists. Plus, I can also use magic." Charlie said lightly.
Bell, who was still bowing, imdiately looked up.
"...L-Level 4?!"
"I-I'm so sorry…! I didn't know you were a High-Class Adventurer… I was being presumptuous… Please forgive …" Bell said hastily, bowing deeply, his face turning red again with embarrassnt for lecturing soone stronger than himself.
Charlie simply waved his hand casually, dismissing the awkwardness. "It's alright. Your actions were good. This world needs more people like you."
In this world, although there were many evil and selfish people, there were also many good people. It was just that being a good person was difficult.
At that mont, Charlie's eyes reflexively glanced behind Bell.
There, a small hooded girl stood half-hidden behind the young man's back. Her body was small, but the eyes peeking out from under the hood implied deep wariness and inferiority. She kept her head down, not daring to look directly at anyone in front of them.
Charlie recognized who she was.
Liliruca Arde.
A Pallum. A supporter from the Soma Familia. People might consider supporters re accessories, but they played a vital role in the Dungeon. Collecting magic stones from defeated monsters, carrying goods, luring monsters, providing rear guard warnings, and even providing magical or logistical support. Without them, adventurer teams would quickly run out of energy and ti.
However, Charlie was different. He possessed the Space-Ti Cache, a magic item of his own creation—a storage space that could hold almost anything in large quantities and could be summoned at any ti.
For him, the need for a supporter like Lili had never existed from the beginning.
However, before truly stepping into the Dungeon, Charlie turned back to Bell.
There was a small prompting within him. Perhaps it was due to the fact that he technically had a connection to the young man. Bell's mother, teria, and his aunt, Alfia, were both mbers of the Hera Familia, just like he was currently.
Without saying much, Charlie patted Bell's shoulder gently.
"Hmm?" Bell looked at him in confusion.
"I'll give you one piece of advice. Consider it... a bonus for being kind to ." Charlie said in a relaxed tone, but the look in his eyes was sharp and serious.
"What's your na?"
"B-Bell Cranel, from the Hestia Familia!" He replied quickly, slightly nervous.
It wasn't every day that soone Level 1 like him was directly questioned by a Level 4 adventurer.
"Bell, in your opinion, why do more than 90% of adventurers in Orario remain stagnant at Level 1, even after years of going in and out of the Dungeon?"
"Eh…?" Bell was stunned to hear the Charlie's question.
The question sounded like a trap. However, the tone wasn't sarcastic. It was actually very calm, as if waiting for a serious answer.
The other adventurers around the Dungeon entrance area also fell silent. So of them exchanged glances. One by one, their attention shifted towards Charlie and Bell. Their conversations stopped, their steps slowed, and so even stopped completely to listen.
How could they not?
The young man in front of them looked like he was still a teenager of 16-17 years old, but had already reached Level 4, while they themselves—who were even gray-haired and muscular like bears—were still stuck at Level 1. So had even been in Orario for over a decade without ever leveling up even once.
Truly, the comparison was infuriating!
They also wanted to know the answer to the problem that had plagued adventurers.
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