Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?

Back in his room, Bell couldn't shake his unease.

"Why does this feel like one of those soap opera moments where the cheating couple gets busted by the wife?"

He shook his head repeatedly, trying to banish the strange thought.

He knew all too well that "succumbing to the temptation to go home" would lead to disaster—no matter how bad things got, this wasn't the drama he was in.

Actually, Bell never expected the first person he'd fall for in his second life to be Hephaestus. He'd always assumed Goddess-sama would be first, but life had a different plan.

"Click!"

Suddenly, the door opened, snuffing out the magical lamp at the entrance. The already dim room plunged into darkness—so complete he couldn't see his own hand.

But Bell had trained his entire life to operate in darkness.

From the journey from his hometown to Orario, he'd walked by night countless times. Thanks to "Personal Training," he could read the starlit road ahead. In the Dungeon, that ability was sharpened even further—he could see everything in total darkness.

That's how he recognized who stood in the doorway—and what she was wearing.

He couldn't help but stare, and when footsteps approached, he couldn't hold back.

"Goddess-sama, you…"

At that moment, Bell could practically see Hestia's face flushing red even without light.

And suddenly, he understood the whole situation.

Goddess-sama was jealous too.

...

The next morning

The other star of the show was already propped up against the wall outside the bathroom.

She had intended to create a lovely memory for Hestia, but ended up with one filled with jealousy.

"...But I get why Hephaestus would be jealous."

That question got answered in Bell's mind.

He cupped hot bathwater and splashed it across his face, trying to clear his thoughts.

Hephaestus had indeed been jealous of Hestia yesterday—and that, ironically, came as both a disruption and a revelation.

Of course, the Dungeon's hidden influence that Hephaestus mentioned caught him off guard. He'd never imagined such an effect existed.

"I need to be extra careful in the Dungeon from now on. That place is truly dangerous for any adventurer."

"And I'm pretty sure emotional trials aren't the only tests the Dungeon has in store."

The emotional challenge was just an appetizer. The comforting first dozen floors were the real subtle trap.

By the 12th floor, the Dungeon's pace shifts dramatically. Sensing adventurers grow complacent or in danger, it unleashes a "monster feast" to crush them—an intentional move to break intruders.

Looking at it objectively, the Dungeon was brutally well-designed.

Most adventurers who are lulled into complacency crumble when the challenge spikes.

The Dungeon only rewards well-prepared teams, but such groups are rare.

For most, the mid-floors are a limit. Beyond them lies a threshold only the most elite clan members can handle—or seasoned solo fighters like the King, who reached Lv. 7 thanks to undeniable power.

Bell didn't argue with that logic.

He'd chosen a path meant to surpass the likes of Ota. His teammates could wait while he tackled unknown depths.

But later on, he realized, he'd need to support them too.

Most in the Loki Familia lacked rapid-growth traits. They needed Bell's help to keep pushing forward.

"Support and coordination… maybe I really need to focus on that."

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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