Chapter 18: Bell Clawney

The adventurer fighting the Killer Ants ahead had short white hair and a relatively neutral, youthful face.

The adventurer’s gear he wore bore a prominent familia emblem on the back. The pattern featured a profile of a Valkyrie, while the reverse side depicted a full-face view surrounded by flowers and wheat—symbols of the bounty over which the goddess presided.

"Freya Familia."

"Bell Cranel."

Upon seeing the boy’s face, Liang Yue instantly recognized his identity: the protagonist "rabbit" from the *Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?* anime. The primary reason his memory was so fresh was Bell’s kind-hearted nature; he was simple and compassionate, always reaching out to help others in danger. From the perspective of building friendships, it would be hard for anyone to refuse a person like Bell, who would exhaust himself to help a friend in need. Liang Yue felt the same way.

However, seeing the "Freya Familia" emblem on the back of Bell’s clothes, he could not hide the surprise in his eyes. Had his own transmigration caused the plot to deviate?

He did not rush forward to greet him. Instead, Liang Yue organized his thoughts, using key plot nodes to map out the timeline. The Loki Familia had completed their expedition, the runaway Minotaur had reached the fifth floor, and his encounter with Ais Wallenstein had happened the day before yesterday.

Prior to that, seventeen days had passed since he transmigrated into the dungeon world and was taken in by Hestia. Because she had recruited him as a familia member, Hestia had stopped just "lying flat." She had been looking for work and trying to save money to cure the "Kazan Syndrome" infection in his left hand. It was this subplot that had triggered the butterfly effect, ultimately resulting in Bell successfully joining the Freya Familia. Backed by the strongest familia in Orario, he started with a much higher advantage than other adventurers.

"He actually joined the Freya Familia?"

Liang Yue did not experience much emotional fluctuation, choosing instead to observe Bell’s battle with the Killer Ants from the sidelines. Compared to his memory of the character, the advantages of his higher starting point meant he was no longer the novice adventurer who stumbled upon a Minotaur in the original anime. He dodged the Killer Ants' attacks with agility, still wielding a dagger. Every strike dealt damage; it was proof that a talented individual in a better environment would have their potential unearthed much faster.

But as the walls continued to undulate, countless insect monsters with hard armor poured into Liang Yue’s field of vision. The characteristics of the Killer Ants were distinct: they were about the size of a gecko, essentially giant ants, with the unique feature of four hooked claws protruding from their upper bodies. While they appeared to be ordinary monsters, they were actually known as "Newbie Killers."

A lone Killer Ant posed no threat to an adventurer; the real difficulty lay in the fact that these monsters would call for their companions when in danger. If their numbers increased...

Without effective clearing methods, one could easily perish here. And that was precisely the situation Bell, fighting not far ahead, had encountered.

"So..."

"The opportunity to make contact with Bell is right in front of me..."

To say the situation was exceptionally dangerous would be an exaggeration. Given the Freya Familia’s immense wealth and resources, they had likely already provided Bell with a grimoire to learn magic. Even if he stood by and did nothing, Liang Yue didn't think Bell would be in any real danger. But since the chance to interact with the original protagonist was right there...

He did not deny his utilitarian motives. After all, if he wanted to develop and strengthen the Hestia Familia, he had to maintain good relationships with other familias. Hestia and Freya did not have any major conflicts. With the goal of building a network in Orario, Liang Yue quickly made his decision. His target was the Killer Ants on the seventh floor.

With such a vast number before him, gaining experience points while simultaneously earning Bell’s friendship was, from an objective standpoint, a win-win!

***

"Just as the Goddess said..."

"When Killer Ants are in danger, they use a special method to call for their companions."

Dodging the hooked claws of the ants, Bell’s expression was heavy as he watched the monsters continuously pour out from the walls. But he recalled the combat techniques his familia seniors had taught him: one must remain highly composed when facing danger and strive to adjust one's state.

With his current strength, even a single Killer Ant was difficult to deal with, let alone such a massive swarm.

"I must find a breakthrough!"

Bell leaned against the wall, gripping his mithril dagger backhanded, scanning the surroundings for a gap in the monster encirclement. He did not regret turning down the company of other familia members. To become a true powerhouse, one must seek growth in dangerous situations. He still had his rapid-fire magic.

*Firebolt.*

If he could find a weak point in the encirclement to break through... he should be able to do it, right?!

***

Facing the massive swarm of Killer Ants, Liang Yue felt only anticipation; deep down, he even had a bold idea. The characteristic of the Killer Ants was that they would call for companions when in danger. If the experience points from killing them were generous enough, could he use their summoning habit to farm the swarm and rapidly level up?

"It’s worth a try..."

Some time had passed since he last used *Triple Slash*. Utilizing it now would not put a burden on his body. He ran forward to assist. When he was within five meters, facing the tide of Killer Ants, he decisively used *Triple Slash* as a means of advancement.

Accompanied by the sharp sword qi of the strikes, even the Killer Ants' incredibly hard armor could not withstand the force; their bodies were sliced in half by the energy. Charging into the swarm meant becoming a target. As the dense mass of ants rushed toward him, Liang Yue swung his weapon in two consecutive slashes, leaving only faint afterimages.

And then... a gorgeous, moonlight-like sword energy erupted!

*Moonlight Slash.*

"Fighting!"

"This feels great."

The surge of adrenaline sharpened Liang Yue’s reaction time to its peak. A clean and decisive *Moonlight Slash* wiped out the monsters in front of him. As for the ants rushing in, he moved with agility, backflipping to dodge a claw attack while simultaneously unleashing sharp sword qi...

***

In the end, things unfolded beyond Bell’s expectations. An adventurer was rapidly approaching the area to his side. Even in his dire situation, he did not want to involve anyone else. Bell shouted a warning, even though he knew it would draw the swarm's attention to the newcomer.

"Don't come over!!"

"There are too many of them!"

Despite the warning, the other person did not stop. Instead, he displayed immense combat prowess while facing the swarm. The mithril dagger given to him by Lady Freya could only leave scratches on the ants' armor; he couldn't end the fight quickly, which was why he had been surrounded. But watching the flamboyant swordsmanship displayed by Liang Yue, Bell couldn't help but be momentarily stunned. It was a style of combat he had never imagined.

To achieve such an effect without needing to rely on the edge of the blade...

The fierce sword qi erupting from his swings easily cut the Killer Ants in half, as if he were a moving war machine, destroying every monster that dared to block his path!

"..."

With the number of Killer Ants rapidly dwindling, Bell’s eyes were filled with bewilderment. He couldn't help but mutter to himself: "Among adventurers, this senior..."

"Is he..."

"Is he a bit too strong?!"