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The two of them once again headed towards the sixth floor. While Bell was hesitant to follow through, not wanting to get scolded by Eina again, he also knew that the monsters on that floor wouldn't be a challenge for the silver-haired girl. Moreover, he did survive a fight against a group of war shadows on his own, so he too should be able to handle himself.

The duo went to their destination as fast as they could, to the point that they only killed monsters that were in their way and didn't even bother to collect the magic stones, much to Bell's chagrin. His captain once again seemed disgusted by the stones and found them to be worthless. He had to admit that the magic stones on the upper floors were not worth that much but still…

"More monsters ahead~." Shalltear warned Bell in mild enthusiasm. The boy felt a bit ashamed that he was slowing her down and could only swear to grow stronger so that he would not forever be a burden to his party leader. Every time he heard her speak, it was like a flame was burning in his heart. Overtaken by confidence, Bell knew that one day, he'll be the one looking out for her and then she will be able to fall in love with him.

"Alright, let's do this!" Bell cried out enthusiastically as he raised the red and black spear that he borrowed from Shalltear once again. He was going to release the energy from this burning flame of passion all out on the enemy.

After his statement, Bell dashed forward with the borrowed lance and attacked the monsters with no mercy. It was the only way that could make him closer to his desire.

*Slash* *Slash* *Slash*

Bell stopped his charge in surprise and looked at his hands. He could feel power surging through them. He had easily killed the monsters closest to him, but what shocked him was how fast he did it.

He smiled, content that his hard work for the past few days had paid off.

"Hey~. *Slash*. Just what~. *Slash*. Are you~. *Slash*. Doing~?" Shalltear interrupted Bell's thoughts, looking unhappy.

To make sure he didn't annoy his captain, Bell tried to find another target, only to realize that the battle was over. He blinked several times, not expecting it to have ended so soon.

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Shalltear had effortlessly slashed her way through all the monsters that were going to attack him from behind while he was busy reflecting on his immense progress.

"Whoa. You really are amazing miss Fiora…" Bell commented as he went bent down near a monster corpse to collect its magic stone. "This is the fastest battle I've ever experienced."

The white-haired boy looked back up towards the pretty girl, who went on a rant on how having to watch his back all the time was annoying, bla bla bla, not paying attention was wrong, bla bla bla. Bell would have been listening if he wasn't currently occupied by something else.

'She looks pretty even when angry.' Was what Bell concluded as he was able to take a full view of his love interest's face. Even if she looked somewhat displeased and was currently scolding him, her charming features always remained there.

Realising that Bell wasn't listening, Shalltear stopped in her rant, eyebrows twitching with fury. "Were. You. Listening. To. What. I. Said~?" She asked very slowly with a glare that could kill.

Bell could see that depending on his answer, he would certainly get beaten up...

...

'Apologizing doesn't seem to do anything.' Bell assessed Shalltear's personality while caressing his head where he received an undeserving punch from her. She at least seemed to care enough about him to hold back on that punch. With that thought in mind, Bell's mood went up high.

It had taken Bell a few minutes to extract the magic stones and drop items from the monsters and store them in his pouch. His captain had remained standing the entire time sulking about his earlier mistake and did not make any signs that she was going to help him harvest the resources gained. It seemed like she wasn't ever going to accept carrying the magic stones or drop items, so he came up with a proposition.

"Miss Fiora… I think we'd need to hire a supporter to carry all of our items." He said while they were walking through the sixth floor's corridors.

She cocked her head. "A supporter~? What's that~?"

"Well, supporters help retrieve magic stones and carry all our stuff. They lighten our load so that we can further concentrate on defeating monsters." He explained carefully, hoping that she would approve.

"I see~. I still have no intention on dissecting these pests or carry their remains, so hire one of those supporters if you must~." She waved the subject away, as if she couldn't care less about whether a supporter tagged along with them.

'Yes! We may eventually be able to form an actual party!' Bell, walking behind Shalltear, did a fist pump which was unnoticed by her.

Shortly after that, a sound came from the wall. Several goblins spawned from it and ran towards the two young adventurers. Shalltear did not even bother giving those insects to Bell as a challenge and simply cut them all in half with a single slash.

"Hmm. I believe we are done for the day~. Let's head back up~."

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