Is it wrong for a reincarnation to be in the dungeon?

6.1 Minotaur? Minotaur.

A/N: This chapter will consist of 3 parts total. Each of them will be relatively short. 1000 words or under, just to create a feeling of momentum.
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The bodies of the three adventurers were disposed of with the Killer Ants. I check the place Lili is supposed to be. Sure enough, both Bell and Lili were there, the former was fighting off the remaining mobs. I was there just in time to help.

Once the few ants in my way were gone, I walk up to Lili. Bell has his guard up, in a defense position beside her, assuming me to be one of the attackers.

Lily kept her guard up as well. Well, this was fair enough, it was the first time I'd met her face to face.

With no words, I throw the gnome key toward her. Bell catches it.

"This is..?"

I'm not so twisted as to steal something like this. The magic weapon is more than enough for me.

I have no idea how much change this will bring to the storyline, but it shouldn't be major.

Silently, I turn and left to the lower floors.

"Wait-"

Now that the story of Liliruca is out of the way, time to focus more on me. Time for some usual grinding!

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"Aeto-san, why do you go on adventures?"

"To survive, of course, it's my only option."

"I see."

In the hostess of fertility, Ryuu had given me a sudden question.

My reason to go on adventures? It was to be able to survive in this world and become stronger. That has always been my goal since coming here.

The story with Lili was long over. I expect that the minotaur is to appear soon. Bell will be leveling up too...

I'm back to square one. When will I get an opportunity to level up? The highest of my stat was at A. More than enough to reach the conditions.

I need to grow stronger, and rank up, fast.

The time limit of my magic use trial period was running out. I will soon need to decide whether or not to keep this corruption magic or switch it back for the instant revival.

I'm leaning towards this magic of mine. If I grow stronger in the magic stat in the future, this would be a crushing advantage on my opponents. In contrast, the stronger I grow, the harder it'd be for me to die. That Instant revival skill would also fall practically useless.

The next day, I went back into the dungeon. The anime wasn't so detailed in explaining when the minotaur attacks. All I remember is that it was earlier than what Freya had planned.

This time, I farmed on the 9th floor rather than the floors lower.

12 minutes. That was how long I have left of the trial period.

But it doesn't matter, I already know my choice, the corruption magic.

[Your mind has really changed. Weren't you just getting mad over the trial period not that long ago?]

People change alright? I had no idea what kind of magic it was even gonna be before. I prioritize my own benefits over anything, it's a natural human trait.

[More like a villain trait. Heroes should be selfless, not selfish.]

Then doesn't that make you a villain as well? You've been doing as you like for a while. You're no better than me.

[Wanna know what changes a scoundrel like you?]

No thanks.

[Love. When you fall in love, you can convince yourself to become a better person.]

Don't need it. I can change myself just fine. Love will only make my blade duller.

What a pointless conversation. As beautiful as the heroines in this show are, they're all lined up for Bell's taking. Never mine.

[You love setting boundaries for yourself, don't you?]

It's a given. I mean, so far I've barely talked with any of them yet.

Walking near a corridor. I can hear the scream of adventurers. Two of them, it seems.

Did they come here unprepared? Or perhaps they fell into a hoard of monsters?

[It's neither.]

....? That question wasn't directed at you though...

Before I knew it, the source of the voices was sprinting in my direction. Blood covered their faces.

This was not normal, no matter how strong the monsters on this level are, the adventurers should have stats high enough to take them on. At the very least, they shouldn't be this fearful of the enemy, nor would they normally be this heavily injured.

"Move!! What is a monster from the 17th floor doing here?!"

They pushed me out of their way without hesitation. Were they that desperate to escape the situation?

Wait, a monster from the 17th floor. Two adventurers escaping...

The pieces were quickly put together inside my mind.

I jump to follow them, but I could hear the roaring cry of the minotaur only meters behind me.

"URROOOOAAARRRRRR!!!"

"Tch!"

It was too late, I had no choice but to dodge to the side and lost my only opportunity to escape this mess.

That weapon, no mistaking it. It was the weapon Ottarl had. This was indeed the same minotaur that was supposed to attack Bell.

But Bell himself was nowhere to be seen. The main character is supposed to be around here!

I can't kill this thing! Not with my stats! Not when this is fodder meant for the main character!

Bell Cranell, you're supposed to be a hero. Where the heck are you at a time like this??!

- End of Chapter six, part one -