Chapter 193: Chapter 18. Lay Down Your Weapons and Crush the Enemy
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"They really showed up," said the scar-faced adventurer, eyeing Bell with malice. Behind him were a few others with similar expressions.
"Why..." Lili was stunned.
She was sure only she knew about this place!
"Well done, supporter. You lured this fat sheep right here," the scar-faced man said as he drew a vicious-looking large sword. "You can leave now. You'll get your money afterwards."
"I... I didn't!" Lili, anxious, tugged at Bell's clothes.
"A little digging is all it takes to know what kind of person you are," the scar-faced man sneered. "You trick others with that pitiful look. No one believes you. Just like before, get lost, supporter!"
Lili bit her lip and slowly released Bell's clothes.
Slap—
Bell immediately took hold of Lili's hand.
"Huh?" Lili looked up at Bell in disbelief. "Mr. Bell, you..."
"Liliruca Arde!" Bell said sternly.
"Huh?" The scar-faced man was confused.
"She has a proper name, Liliruca Arde! She is not just 'supporter'!" Bell raised his voice, gripping Lili's hand tightly.
Lili stared at Bell, a tear rolling down her cheek.
So warm...
"What's this? Turns out you're just a fool," the scar-faced man muttered, scratching his head in annoyance. "I was planning to leave this supporter for the others, but forget it... I'll just take everything!"
"Lili, step back a bit," Bell said, patting Lili's head. "Leave this to me."
"Bell-sama..."
"Leave it to you? Hahaha! Who do you think you are? A hero?" The scar-faced man laughed loudly as if hearing a joke, clutching his belly. "And that supporter, thinking someone will save you? Ridiculous!"
"I'm just an apprentice trying to become a hero," Bell replied as he raised his left arm. Rows of glowing holy script appeared along the edges of his shield.
"But even an inexperienced me will protect Lili because..."
Special Skill – Hero's Apprentice → Hero
Bell grinned.
"She cried!"
"Don't underestimate me!" The scar-faced man roared, charging at Bell. "Everyone, attack!"
Why...
Lili covered her mouth, staring blankly at Bell as he charged into the fray.
Why make me feel that the world is so wonderful?
Why make me crave warmth again?
I had already decided not to trust anyone...
I had already given up hope...
Life will surely be difficult, following an idiot adventurer like this.
Lili slowly pulled out the magic sword she had bought for self-defense.
Magic swords are extremely rare and powerful, but they're single-use weapons meant as a last resort.
But...
"Lili is..." Lili took a deep breath, then shouted, "Lili is Bell-sama's supporter!"
With that, she aimed the magic sword at the adventurers surrounding Bell.
"A magic sword! Stop her!" the scar-faced man ordered in a panic.
"Not a chance!" Bell spun around and hurled his shield.
Boom—
The shield struck the back of an adventurer's head who was about to attack Lili, knocking him out cold. The remaining adventurers, attacking Bell from different angles, were closing in.
"Bell-sama!"
Bell sheathed his short sword and adopted a strange fighting stance. His red eyes reflected the vicious adventurers.
Lili dropped the magic sword and rushed toward Bell.
No! He'll die!
Lili reached out toward Bell, struggling.
He dropped his shield...
Boom—
One adventurer flew back like a cannonball, crashing into the wall with a sickening crack.
Huh...
Lili froze, staring in shock at Bell, who was now effortlessly beating up the remaining adventurers.
Although their time together hadn't been long, Lili had observed Bell's fighting style enough to know it well. He usually relied on speed and agile footwork to dodge attacks, then used his shield and short sword to strike from various angles.
But why did he become so much stronger after dropping the shield and sword?
Lili's mouth twitched as she looked at the adventurers groaning on the ground.
In just an instant, Bell, who usually looked as harmless as a rabbit, exploded with force, landing blows with his fists that left the fierce adventurers completely defenseless.
His shield and short sword must have been holding him back!
"Why... why are you so strong!" The scar-faced man's face turned pale. "How can you be so powerful even though you're just Level 1!"
"Strong?" Bell tilted his head, looking at Lili with confusion. "Am I strong?"
"Lili thinks Bell-sama is just pretending to be weak," Lili scratched her face, realizing that all her previous worries had been unnecessary.
"I'm not strong at all; I'm just doing everything I can," Bell said, walking over to the scar-faced man.
"You... don't get cocky!" The scar-faced man tried to retreat, but his hand was pinned to the ground by Bell's shield, and he couldn't move. "That supporter has made a lot of enemies. They're waiting for you on the sixth floor! You won't escape!"
At that moment, Cyd yawned as he carried a sack toward the fifth floor, with a group of adventurers beaten black and blue, dressed only in loincloths, trailing behind him.
"Is that so?" Bell picked up the shield pinning the scar-faced man. The holy script glowed the moment Bell touched it.
"Die!" The scar-faced man roared, drawing a dagger and stabbing at Bell's neck.
Clang—
Bell unsheathed his Hero's Blade, slicing the dagger in half. The blade, also glowing with holy script, pressed against the scar-faced man's throat.
Gulp—
The scar-faced man swallowed hard, not daring to move.
"Let's go, Lili," Bell sighed, sheathing his Hero's Blade as he turned to see Lili gathering the adventurers' equipment. "What are you doing?"
"Collecting drops," Lili replied innocently, blinking.
"At least leave them their equipment, or they won't be able to safely leave the dungeon," Bell scratched his head.
"Bell-sama, you're too naive," Lili pouted but only took the magic stones from the adventurers.
"Hypocrite! You think we'll be grateful to you?" the scar-faced man yelled.
"I'm not doing this for your gratitude," Bell said, looking at the scar-faced man with innocent eyes. "I'm just doing what I want."
"Tch... Tch!" The scar-faced man turned his head in frustration. "Among those waiting for you, there's a Level 2 adventurer."
"Thanks," Bell scratched his face.
"Bell-sama, you don't need to thank someone like him," Lili grumbled, pulling Bell along toward the ninth floor.
"Damn it!" The scar-faced man slumped to the ground. "What the hell is that guy?"
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