"I-I did it... I survived."
Belle panted, her chest rising and falling as she took in ragged breaths, kneeling on the ground.
For a few seconds, the entire area fell silent.
Everyone present stood in awe... they had just witnessed someone pull off the impossible.
"That weakling actually pulled it off."
Bete broke the silence with a click of his tongue.
The Loki Familia executives exchanged glances, nodded, and slowly walked toward the white-haired girl.
"That was amazing... you were like bam! and those monsters were like 'Uwaaargh!' and then poof! gone, biting the dust!"
Tiona was the first to reach Belle, flailing her arms with exaggerated gestures.
"Hehe... thanks."
Belle said weakly, letting out a tired laugh as she scratched the side of her face.
She turned her head and finally saw the people who had been watching her fight earlier.
A pallum, a dwarf, twin Amazons, a werewolf, a green-haired high elf, and a golden-haired human girl.
There were more people behind them, but even from a glance, Belle could tell these individuals were exceptionally strong.
'Hmm... why do I feel like I've seen them before?'
Of course, she had never actually met the Loki Familia before this event... but as the leading force in dungeon exploration, even those who had never set foot in Orario had at least heard their name or seen drawings of them.
"That was dangerous... one wrong move and you could've died."
Riveria said calmly as she pulled a potion from her pocket and offered it to Belle.
"Here, take it. This will help you recover."
Belle stared at the potion bottle for a few seconds before shaking her head.
"I'm fine... thanks for the concern."
But as she tried to stand, her legs wobbled, and she stumbled.
'My head... so dizzy...'
The exhaustion caught up to her, and her vision blurred.
Thankfully, someone caught her before she hit the ground.
"Are you alright?"
A soft, feminine voice reached her ears, and Belle caught a glimpse of golden hair at the edge of her vision.
She turned her head... red eyes met gold.
For a moment, time seemed to stop.
'Wow... she's so beautiful. I almost thought she was a goddess for a second.'
A flawless face framed by silky golden hair, and skin so smooth it seemed to glow under the soft dungeon light.
There was an ethereal grace about her... a calm, unshakable presence that made her seem untouchable.
Even as a fellow woman, Belle couldn't help but admire Ais' beauty.
"I'm fine... thank you"
Belle murmured, trying to stand on her own, though her trembling legs refused to cooperate.
"Just drink the potion. It's our fault those minotaurs got away in the first place. We can't apologize enough, so think of this as our way of making it up to you."
Riveria insisted, gently pressing the bottle into Belle's hands.
Seeing no way to refuse, Belle hesitantly accepted it.
"Thanks," she said, then uncorked the bottle and drank.
A soothing warmth spread through her body, the weakness fading away.
When she finished, she let out a relieved sigh.
"Now that you've healed up, do you want to come with us as we head to the surface, Miss Argonaut?"
Tiona grinned, grabbing Belle's shoulders excitedly.
"Eh? Miss Argonaut?"
Belle asked, blinking in confusion.
"The way you fought those minotaurs reminded me of Argonaut! Can I call you that from now on?"
"By the way, have you read the story of Argonaut? You seem like the type who gets enchanted by hero stories, just like me!"
Tiona's enthusiasm was infectious, though a bit overwhelming.
"Uh... I don't mind... but how did you know I liked hero stories?"
Belle asked, her eyes blinking rapidly in confusion.
"Hmm... just a gut feeling, I guess?"
Tiona replied with a shrug.
"That was quite the display."
Finn said next, his tone calm but impressed.
"It's been a while since I've seen a rookie as impressive as you."
"Thank you."
Belle replied with a polite smile.
But then, a chill ran down her spine.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed another Amazon watching her coldly.
"Alright everyone, let's head home."
Finn announced.
The Loki Familia cheered in response.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?"
"I learned from my mother."
"How did it feel, fighting those minotaurs?"
"It was scary. I thought I was going to die."
"Are you really a level one?"
"Yeah... I still have a long way to go."
"By the way, which Familia are you from, Miss Argonaut?"
"H-Hestia Familia."
Now walking alongside the Loki Familia, Belle found herself overwhelmed by Tiona's nonstop questions.
Even Ais, though silent, listened attentively.
There was no doubt... the entire Loki Familia had already developed a favorable impression of Belle after witnessing her battle.
"You numbskull! Dial it down! You're talking so much that your spit just hit my face!"
Tione smacked Tiona on the head without restraint.
"Ow! Did you really have to hit me that hard?"
Tiona pouted, rubbing her scalp.
Belle chuckled softly at the sisters' antics.
"Miss Belle!"
A panicked, high-pitched voice rang out.
"Miss Lili?"
Belle turned to see a brown-haired pallum sprinting toward her, face pale.
"I can't believe it! You're alright!"
Lili cried, running straight towards her.
Behind her came a group of adventurers, geared for battle. From the symbols etched on their equipment, it was clear they were members of the Ganesha Familia.
"The Loki Familia?"
One of them exclaimed.
"They're back!"
"Then the situation must've already been resolved!"
From their words, it seemed Lili had brought them after informing them about the situation with the minotaurs.
But Belle wasn't focused on that.
'The Loki Familia?'
Her eyes widened, darting between Tiona, Ais, and the others.
'Ah right... I should've realized sooner...'
'These people... they're in the same Familia as Judas... ah... I didn't say anything embarrassing, did I?'
Her mind raced as she covered her flushed face with both hands.
"Miss Belle? What's wrong?"
Lili asked, puzzled.
"Ah! It's nothing..."
Belle replied quickly, calming herself.
"Still, you came back for me... and even brought help. Thank you, Miss Lili."
"What are you saying? Did you really think I'd leave you after you went and played hero like that?"
"Besides, Mister Judas would be disappointed in me if he found out I left you behind."
Lili said firmly.
Hearing that, Belle smiled softly.
Lili returned it with one of her own.
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