"My goodness. That is certainly big." Arue said with a bit of awe to her voice. Which is appropriate considering she never saw anything like it in her own world.
"Eccentric…doesn't even begin to describe it." Hana added, she too was stunned into silence by the sight before her eyes.
What they were looking upon was a sight that could be seen anywhere in the city of Orario. A sight that made the city famous for what it was. What every would-be adventurer around the world came to see with their own eyes.
Babel, the largest tower in Orario. A sight that every visitor and resident sees should they enter or wake up in the city. Truly a massive feat in architecture and art all together.
And it stood over the entrance to what truly made the city famous worldwide.
The dungeon, the place where legends were made in exploring its depths. Or where dreams were lost like the lives of so many hopefuls who dare to challenge it.
A place where you can gain further strength in battling the beast and creatures that dwell inside with the aid of a blessing. Or where you may find fortune in the rare and legendary materials it produces, whether it's in the walls and surroundings or in what lives in them.
Bell had heard these tales and more and everyday he goes in and asks himself the same questions.
'How much further can I go today? What monsters will I face? Will I bring back enough to help my Goddess?'
Two questions though, stand out from the rest.
'Will I make it back alive?'
'Will I be a hero?'
These questions will always ring in his mind no matter how often he goes into the dungeon. They are at the forefront of his mind next to his sense of survival, which has served him greatly so far.
Now though, his thoughts are now on his new party and new members of his Familia.
He turns to face them and takes in their appearance. When offered by Eina to get some beginner gear for his new party, Bell was at first nervous about the cost, given the amount he paid for his equipment at the start. However he was quite surprised by what kind of equipment his new party members requested.
Arue only asked for chainmail that could go under her clothes. When asked by Eina if she needed anything else like a weapon, Arue told her it wasn't necessary because she was a spell-caster. Eina further emphasized that she should also take a staff or wand to use her magic. Arue scoffed, much to Eina's chagrin, saying she needed not the aid of a stick to cast her spells.
Eina dropped it when she went on a tangent about, 'My crimson dark soul shall be enough to eradicate my foes', or something like that while doing another pose.
Hana was far more accepting of receiving more equipment than Arue but her choice in weapons left something to be desired. Namely that she didn't request a weapon besides gauntlets that offered a good deal of flexibility with her hands. Other than a good set of grieves and similar chainmail to Arue's, Hana went with nothing else.
Bell had no issue with paying the fine for the equipment. Hilariously enough, the two's equipment were surprisingly cheaper than his…he suspected it was because it was the weapon he got. Weapons did tend to be more expensive than armor was, surprisingly.
He had to focus though, "Are you two ready?" He asked his Familia members.
"Yes! I'm ready to dive into the unknown!" came Hana's excited monotone. She banged her gauntleted fists together, in an effort to pump herself up.
"Yes! Time to dive into darkness and light the way with our might and power!" came Arue's mature tone followed by a pose that had her partially cover her one visible eye with her hand, the glow of the eye seeming to shine past her fingers.
Bell elected to act like he hadn't seen that display from Arue, even though passing adventurers going both in and out of the dungeon were giving his party odd looks and a wide berth.
"Okay! Let's go!" and so Bell led on.
They entered through the archway entrance and went down the long staircase that led to the dungeon floor proper.
Now their adventure really begins.
Bell had expected that his first journey back into the dungeon would be a new experience with a party by his side.
He was unprepared for the shocking difference with Arue and Hana by his side.
"Fireball!" Arue shouted with an arm and open palm held out. An orb of fire formed in front of her hand and grew to be about the size of her torso before being unleashed upon the trio of goblins running towards her.
Before Bell's eyes, he saw the ball of flames engulf the first goblin before the orb exploded in a blinding flash of orange and red, the emerging flames from the explosion quickly consumed the other two, who were not long for this world after.
It was a shocking sight for Bell. He had read briefly about magic and the many spells a mage could cast. Spells ranging from modest healing to destructive forces that could shake whole floors of the dungeon and the toll it could take on the body doing so. A toll he was familiar with given his rush to summon again after Arue.
Yet Arue stood there, amidst the kindling flames and falling ash with nary a heavy breath. She still looked fresh and ready to cast that spell another twenty or thirty times before she got winded.
It made him a bit jealous to be honest but he remembered that he could summon people, so he was in no place to throw stones there.
A grunt of effort behind him caused him to turn around to see Hana, with arms raised, just dealing with another goblin by throwing it to the dungeon wall by its head, the bone jarring force being great enough for the monster to disintegrate into ash and leave a magic stone behind.
Hana, as it turns out, was a pretty skilled martial artist. Bell had not seen an unarmed style of fighting like hers in the dungeon before. On some occasions when he saw other adventurers employ martial arts, they were typically striking with sharp blows with punches and kicks. Strong enough to break a monster apart…literally at times.
Hana's martial art seemed to be more focused on throwing and counterbalancing attacks. When a Kobold emerged from the wall near them and went to attack, Hana was the closest and wasted little time to counterattack. She grabbed the beast by its wrist and with her other hand pushed up on its jaw. She pivoted herself in a quick half spin and flipped the monster literally head first into the ground. There was a crunching sound and the Kobold was ash a second later. Hana picked up the gem from the ashes and held it up high, face emotionless except for the clear gleam of pride in her eyes.
Bell was left stunned at what his new party was capable of. It made him try all the harder himself.
So when another group of monsters came around a corner nearby, Bell acted fast. Emphasis on fast.
He quickly dashed forward to the monsters and got within striking distance. There were four of them, all Kobolds, snarling and gnashing their teeth at him. When Bell was close enough, one of them tried to take a bite out of him on his approach. Bell reacted fast and leaned out just in time for the teeth to close on open air. He then followed up with a slash with his guild-knife across the creature's throat. Blood flowed from the cut briefly, before the Kobold burst into ashes.
One down, three to go.
The remaining three immediately rushed Bell in a frenzy of swinging claws. He stepped back at their approach and when he saw another opportunity, he went for it. When one of them overextended their swipe, Bell went in quick and stabbed upwards into its jaw and into its skull. It burst into ashes near instantly upon the successful attack.
Bell's instincts kicked in a moment and he ducked suddenly, narrowly avoiding a claw from one of the remaining Kobolds. He leaped up to his feet and stabbed his knife downward into the side of the monster's neck on the return down. It coughed a snarl of blood before bursting into ash like the rest.
There was only one left and instead of waiting for the next strike, Bell decided to go on the attack. In a burst of speed, Bell dashed to the last monster. When the monster raised a claw to strike, Bell acted first. In another burst of sudden movement, Bell lashed out with his knife and cut across the Kobold's raised arm, making it fall limp, damaged, and causing the monster to give a snarl of pain. Bell then came around behind it and stabbed at the back of its head, the monster went still then and burst into ash like the rest.
Bell sighed in relief and a bit of pride at his success against the monsters and with the battle done, Bell went to pick up their magic stones. When suddenly he paused and heard a voice speaking.
'Tasks:
Kill 30 Kobolds. 4/30 complete
Venture down 3 floors in the dungeon. 1/3 complete
Complete the above tasks without using healing items.'
It was the same voice that spoke to him during his summoning of Arue and Hana. It caused him to remember something.
His new magic, the Drop of Eros. It spoke of his ability to summon and also mentioned tasks to complete. Was this the magic reminding him of his tasks? What happened when he completed them?
What happened if he didn't? Bell should have studied his magic more carefully now that he thought about it.
Bell shook his head to clear his thoughts and bring them to the present. One thing at a time now, first he wanted to see what would happen if he completed the tasks. Kobolds weren't too difficult to handle, especially now with a party by his side and the first three floors of the dungeon are the most manageable to explore for beginner adventures. He's gone up and down them plenty of times already and that was by himself.
That drew his mind back to his party, he was so focused on other things that he briefly forgot about them. They had to know his plans and they had a right to object to them.
Bell turned to face them and saw that they were also looking at him, their mouths slightly open.
"Everything alright?" Bell asked, seeing their expressions. Both of them closed their mouths and nodded.
"We're fine, Bell," Arue replied, "We were just surprised, is all." in saying that, Hana nodded her head again.
This got a cocked head from Bell, 'surprised?' He thought. Why would they be surprised?
"You moved fast," Hana spoke up, "very fast."
Bell realized that this was their first time in the dungeon, while this was his…he lost count or, more likely, didn't bother to count.
"Yeah," Bell replied, scratching at the back of his head in a sheepish manner, "I have been going into the dungeon quite regularly, since getting my falna."
It made sense to the two. Bell had been going down into the dungeon for a fair bit of time, getting stronger and stronger as a result. It shouldn't have come as a surprise to Arue or Hana, who were just experiencing the dungeon for the first time.
But Bell was still fast, amazingly so, even as a beginner adventurer still. When Bell went on the attack, he moved so swiftly that Arue and Hana had to try not to blink, lest they miss any action they saw from Bell.
It was honestly a good reminder that this world was not like their own, especially when they considered that there are adventurers that still dwarfed Bell in terms of speed, strength, and magic, and dwarfed them by default as well.
They all had a ways to go it seemed but that was the thrill of adventuring, wasn't it?
"Excuse me, Arue, Hana," Bell said, walking towards them, "there's something I want to ask."
He told him of the tasks he was seemingly assigned when he got his magic and about his desire to complete them to see what happened. He further went on to tell them about the second and third floor of the dungeon and what to expect. In addition he also said if they didn't wish to go that far down, he understood and respected their choice.
Arue and Hana though, were not so quickly dissuaded. For any 'normal' reason, they might have agreed and stuck around to the first or second floors out of caution, as would be natural given any starting adventurers. Bell however, told them about these 'tasks' that came with his magic and as a result. Arue's interest was piqued and a Crimson Demon's interest was meant to be followed through. Hana was also curious about these tasks and wanted to know what would happen if Bell completed them. An 'eccentric' idea to be sure.
They gave Bell their answers.
"Curiouser and curiouser," Arue started, "What manner of mysteries will be revealed should we venture forth," her one eye seemed to gleam, being enhanced further by the smoldering remains behind her, "there is only one true way to find out. We must continue!"
Hana had a much more subdued reaction, "Now there are hidden objectives it seems. Ones with potential rewards" she brought her armored arm up and clenched the hand into a fist, "it is a worthy trial to go on. My heart burns with passion to see it all completed!"
Bell didn't need to hear anything else, his party was with him, his Familia was with him. It was a nice feeling to have, knowing they had his back.
As they went further down and encountered more and more monsters, Bell could hear the melodious voice update him on his progress
They reached the second floor and encountered more monsters than they did on the first. Arue and Hans killed eight goblins and two kobolds between the two of them and Bell slew another six kobolds and three goblins as well.
'Tasks:
Kill 30 Kobolds. 10/30 complete
Venture down 3 floors in the dungeon. 2/3 complete
Complete the above tasks without using healing items.'
At first the voice was a surprise that made Bell jump practically every time, drawing worried and curious glances from his party. He quickly reassured them that he was fine though. Now though at this point, Bell had pretty much expected the voice anytime he made a bit of progress on the tasks.
They were still on the second floor and Bell was fighting back to back with Hana while Arue acted as rear fire support.
He slashed a Kobold across its chest before spinning with Hana so she could throw one she had by its wrist. She succeeded and near flawlessly threw her opponent into the one that Bell injured with bone cracking force.
Bell had also struck out and attacked the ones that were going to capitalize on Hana's back when she threw her opponent. He slashed at three with enough force and precision that they were ash seconds later. He brought his attention around to see Hana blocking a claw of another Kobold and with quick instinct, grabbed its wrist and reached for its shoulder, before spinning and flipping the creature on its back. Stunning it with great success.
Bell capitalized on this by stabbing down at its chest, ending its life. He followed up by ending the other two he and Hana incapacitated initially before they could rise.
'Tasks:
Kill 30 Kobolds. 16/30 complete
Venture down 3 floors in the dungeon. 2/3 complete
Complete above tasks without using healing items'
So far so good.
Eventually they reached the third floor and only went so far from where they entered, knowing that they only needed to fight monsters at that point.
And fight them they did. Arue was blasting away at any overwhelming swarms of monsters, making them break off from another so Bell and Hana could capitalize and strike them down in more manageable numbers.
Hana was tossing, tripping, and countering monsters toss for throw. Pushing her martial arts training for all it was worth with bone breaking efficiency.
Bell was using all his speed, strength, and agility the best he could. Slashing and stabbing with his knife at any area he could get a quick kill in and anywhere he couldn't, he wounded enough of them for him to follow back and end it on the following strike.
It was getting exhausting at this point for them all that Bell was happy when he heard the voice a final time.
'Tasks:
Kill 30 Kobolds. 30/30 complete
Venture down 3 floors in the dungeon. 3/3 complete
Complete above tasks without using healing items'
They were done. They all had completed the tasks. It took effort, a lot of it but they succeeded in getting them complete, as far as Bell could tell.
Bell told his party the news and at that point, both he and them were pretty exhausted. His two party members gave him smiles and a thumbs up.
Success for the Hestia Familia.
They gathered what magic stones and drop items they could and proceeded back up the floors and out of the dungeon. By the time they reached the first floor again, they were practically dragging themselves out of the dungeon. Looking quite haggard when they finally exited it.
The sight of them wasn't too surprising to anyone they passed, they were actually complimented for the work they put in as they passed fellow adventurers.
Just another day as adventurers in Orario.
Their journey back to the guild was more work than they thought. Now out of the dungeon, the two newcomers to Hestia Familia felt the exhaustion at what they went through. Their bodies were sore, their clothes were a mess, and they were in desperate need of a shower.
Arue and Hana pushed themselves perhaps too far today and realized that they were quite lucky Bell was there to aid them as he was to receive aid from them. Though they admit, Bell still looked better than they felt. He was a little scuffed up here and there but he still walked on with plenty of energy in his step.
One might even say he walked on excitedly.
Bell by contrast wasn't nearly as tired as his two new party members, obviously. His time in the dungeon already gives him a pretty good amount of endurance. Though he admits to being a bit tired. If not from the dungeon, then by the tasks he set out to complete.
He felt a good deal of pride at completing, and wondered what rewards he would receive from finishing them. There was also another reason for his joy. He and his party collected quite a bit of magic stones and drop items on their journey into the dungeon.
It was definitely the most he had earned since starting out as an adventurer and that was just what he collected. Arue and Hana both collected a good deal of magic stones as well. Though Hana did end up earning more than Arue, since Arue's spell often-times destroyed both the monsters and the magic stones within them.
Arue tried to hide her frustration at this by keeping a neutral expression when collecting for herself but Bell and Hana both saw her give groans of frustration when she was sifting through the monster's ash and found nothing.
But that was over and done now. Now they can report to the guild, turn in their winnings, and get home to rest.
"You three did what!"
Or that would have been the plan had they not forgotten about Eina, who was looking at the haggard group before her with disbelieving eyes, "Bell!" she looked at the young man, "I can't believe you! You took them to the third floor for their first time into the dungeon? Do you know how dangerous that was?"
Bell had the decency to look down at Eina's words. He was so excited at what he and his new party did that he forgot one thing.
His advisor did not hesitate to grill him on his and his party's first venture down. When she found out that they went down to the third floor, she gave them a verbal lashing that all three of them could practically feel, let alone hear.
After a brief time, Eina needed to catch her breath, Arue and Hana both came to Bell's aid. They each gave an explanation on how they wanted to go forth further into the dungeon. On how they wanted to see how far they could push themselves for their first trip down.
Albeit they explained in their own ways.
"It is only natural that a demon, like myself, wants to find out how far she may venture down into the depths of the unknown."
Eina was exasperated at Arue's response.
"To venture forth into the unknown. To test your body against new challenges. To do because I wanted to. There are no better reasons!"
Hana's rather passionate reply did not move Eina in the slightest. It only seemed to wear her out even more.
After a while and a rather long day, Eina let them go with a warning and a promise of a more potent scolding should they do something like that again.
The party turned their attention to the exchange counter and deposited their magic stones and drop items.
Needless to say, Bell had never thought his Familia would see such money.
At the far end of the guild hall, at a standing table, Bell and his party looked at their earnings.
36,336 valis…staggering.
It sat there in collection pouches. Three pouches that were divided up to hold 12,122 valis a piece.
It was truly a blessed day.
Bell was so happy with what he earned today, given this was leaps and bounds more than he ever made on his own.
Arue and Hana were also very proud of their work, appreciating it all the more given all the effort that went into it.
All three had very good reasons to be proud and as one they would have leapt and said "Victory" in celebration.
But Bell, Arue and Hana, more so Arue and Hana, were exhausted so they only raised their hands halfway and gave the best cheer they could.
"Yaaay!" It wasn't shouted, more like a slight raise in their voices.
"I can't wait to show this to Hestia," Bell said, taking hold of one of the pouches, "she'll be so surprised." His excitement was nearly palpable. He couldn't wait to tell her the good news.
"It is indeed well and good news for our little group," said Arue. She too reached for a pouch of her own, feeling the weight and smiling, "Though I wouldn't say we go that far or long in the dungeon next time." She wasn't wrong. After Eina was done lecturing them on dungeon safety, the group did agree that this was a once in a while event that shouldn't be made a regular occurrence. At least until Arue and Hana experienced significant growth in their status.
"Agreed," Hana said, grabbing her own pouch, "the experience was exciting, but we should air on the side of caution next time. It was exciting, yes, but were we to push further, I doubt we would escape with a few scrapes and bruises."
They both had a point and Bell understood, it made him even all the more grateful for accompanying him and agreeing to his request in the dungeon.
He took a step back from the table and bowed his head to the two of them, "Thank you both. From the bottom of my heart, I couldn't have done all this without you."
Bell's gratitude was a genuine one and Arue and Hana both were taken aback by the sheer sincerity of it. It left both of them momentarily stunned before a warm feeling swelled in them at his thanks. Their own gratitude at their summoner was as genuine as his.
'Summoner,' Arue thought for a moment before looking around briefly for any prying eyes or ears. There were none looking or listening in their direction and so she acted.
"Bell, Hana, a quick word if you will," Arue started, and gestured them closer to the table.
Bell and Hana responded quickly, wondering what Arue wanted to discuss so closely.
"It has come to my attention," Arue started, voice serious, "that we have important matters to discuss."
Bell couldn't help but ask, "About what? What's wrong?"
Hana stayed silent, her curiosity evident though.
Arue continued, "Bell, you haven't told Eina about your new magic yet, have you?"
The question puzzled Bell before he realized he didn't tell her yet. He was so wrapped up in going down to the dungeon with his party that he practically forgot.
He should probably go and-
A hand on his shoulder stopped him from finishing his thoughts.
"Bell. I know this may be hard to ask this of you but please listen," Arue was looking him in the eye, her crimson one holding a slight plea, "don't tell her about your new magic or subsequent additional blessing for that matter."
Bell was left puzzled by the request and was going to ask further but Arue went on to explain.
"Your new magic is a potent one to be sure and one of its kind. That's what also makes it dangerous. To you, to us, and to lady Hestia," Arue gauged his reaction to her words. He was still puzzled but now it was tinged with worry.
"That's why we should keep it to ourselves for a while longer. Until our Familia has significant strength at the very least." Arue turned to look at Hana, whose expression went from curiosity to understanding.
She turned back to Bell and continued, "I know you trust Miss Eina, Bell, but we can't take the risk of giving such information to the guild. It may not happen immediately, but should Eina report about your magic, even if she promises confidentiality, there's no telling if her other associates hold themselves to such confidence."
Bell's expression of confusion gave way slowly to worry and slight hurt. It wasn't easy for Arue to say these things, especially since Bell puts a lot of Faith in Miss Eina anyway. But it needed to be said.
"If say another God or Goddess grew curious on why Hestia had so many members come out of nowhere, I doubt that some guild workers would turn away if offered some heavy coin for information, and if that happened, I don't think I need to tell you what that means for us and lady Hestia." Arue finished.
Bell was silent for a moment and processed Arue's words. He did trust Eina quite a bit. When he first started, she was the one that took time to help tutor him on the dungeon and adventuring. Taught him about monsters he would fight and what kind of drops or rare resources he would find in the dungeon.
Bell did trust her. In his short time as an adventurer and as a resident of Orario, Eina was one of the few that Bell trusted without a doubt.
But Bell wasn't a fool, at least not completely. He knew the games the Gods and Goddesses liked to play with each other. Sometimes at the expense of their followers' lives and the lives of some bystanders as well. He heard stories here and there, some from his Goddess and some from Eina, about the various power struggles that went on in Orario.
The thought that all that could be directed at his Familia, at his Goddess, for his ability, made him shudder a bit. He saw the wisdom in Arue's words. Even if he didn't feel too good about keeping a secret, the alternative is too much to consider.
Now that he processed Arue's words more carefully, he could definitely understand why his Familia would be targeted.
Summon a new potentially powerful ally at will? What God wouldn't jump at that opportunity?
"Okay," Bell eventually said, "I understand." and he did.
Arue nodded and gave Bell a comforting smile followed by a gentle squeeze at his shoulder, "Thank you, Bell. I know it's probably not easy but thank you nonetheless."
Bell nodded with a small smile before he felt another hand on him, this time his arm. He looked over to see Hana with a small smile and squeezing his arm gently as well, as if in thanks.
She was in agreement too.
"Now that that's settled," Arue let go of Bell, secured her new money pouch and continued, "Let us be off. We still have some things to take care of today."
This drew Bell's curiosity. What else did they need to take care of today?
"Hana and myself are in desperate need of new clothes and will be going out shopping as such." Arue explained while gesturing to her vestments with a flourish.
Her clothes were considerably dirty after their venture today, with Hana's clothes being little better.
Bell was used to coming back home dirty from the dungeon and the spare clothes he had back home. He felt kinda foolish now that he didn't recognize his own teammates needed new clothes after he summoned them. He would have to remember next time.
This also made him recall something else, their bedding situation. Or more accurately, their lack of bedding.
"Then I'll go somewhere to get our bedding situation sorted," he declared, "I feel kinda bad for putting you all in such a tight space. This is the least I can do."
His two new party members were surprised at his thoughtfulness yet again. They really shouldn't be but Bell liked to surprise at times. Even if he was unaware of it.
"Are you sure?" Hana ended up asking, "I'm comfortable sharing a sofa with Arue for a little longer if necessary."
Arue had no arguments either. She slept rather well last night thanks to the rather comfortable sofa and she knew Hana slept comfortably last night as well. Especially thanks to Arue's chest acting like an extra pillow for Hana.
Something that Arue took a bit of pride in.
"Thanks," Bell started, "but I don't want to put you all out any longer than I have to. If I have a bed to sleep on, then my Familia deserves a bed to sleep in as well." he finished with an honest smile.
His words struck Arue and Hana both with the weight of their kindness. Bell could have taken the money and bought a new weapon, an armor set, or even a fine meal at a restaurant. Yet his first thoughts are for his Familia's well being.
They really lucked out with him, didn't they?
Arue turned and held a hand up to her head in a rather stylish and dramatic display, "When my leader's words strike true. How can I raise my voice to argue? What mighty power you have, Bell." she finished turning her head slightly away to hide her pink cheeks.
Hana wasn't afraid to show her blush, nor her words of admiration, "You are truly like no one I've met Bell," she had her arms to her chest, fists clenched as if containing her excitement, "Your kindness is appreciated and above all," she smiled and seemed to blush harder, "eccentric!" she finished.
Bell was taken aback by his party's compliments. He really only spoke what he felt his Familia deserved.
Nonetheless, the words of his party made him blush a bit in modest acceptance.
"Okay," Bell said, wanting to bring things back to topic, "Will you two be alright getting clothes while I go find a way to adjust our living situation?" He thought it best to deal with both problems at once and he really didn't know what he could do with the girls' clothing situation.
Both Arue and Hana didn't think there would be any issue with getting clothes for themselves. When they were brought forth by the summoning , they were given a great deal of information on the world.
They understood the language, so reading and writing weren't difficult, at least in terms of the language koine, given it is the more widespread language of the world. Any other language would require a bit more study.
In addition, they understood the currency well enough.
The summoning spell really went out of its way to adjust whoever was summoned. Makes sense if it was given by a God after all.
"Alright then," Bell said, "I'm heading off. See you back home," he turned to leave with a final smile and wave.
Arue and Hana both waved back as he departed. When he exited the guild hall, both turned to look at each other.
"You ready for a shopping trip?" Arue asked with a smile.
Hana looked down at her vestments, dirty and a bit ragged here and there, a school uniform was definitely not something to take into combat. She looked back up to Arue with a neutral expression but with eyes that showed her need.
A need for better clothes.
"Yes please."
And together, they went off to find better vestments, because who dungeon crawls in a school uniform?
If any residents in Orario were to answer a simple question such as, "Who is the best crafting Familia in the city?" You would get one of two answers on average. Hephaestus or Goibniu Familia would be the typical answer. If you were to ask who made the best weapons, you wouldn't get an answer instead you would get an argument about which one is better than the other, and if you're lucky the argument would only last a few minutes, provided punches were thrown.
But if you asked which Familia was best at home renovating, you would be told Goibniu Familia much more often.
Though Hephaestus was mighty in many things in craft, her specialty was in armor and arms in addition to magical sword making and enchanting. By contrast, Goibniu had a knack for home construction in addition to his weapon crafting skills. And any who fell under his banner would also be taught how to build a home just as they would also be taught on how to forge a sword.
It's what Bell found out when he went to their Familia workstation. He asked around for any Home renovators available before finally being pointed at a hut off to the side. He went inside and found himself in the presence of the crafting God Goibniu. Bell immediately bowed in greeting and instinctively apologized for bothering him.
As was Bell's nature.
The Crafting God, who was seemingly busy working on a rather thin but elegant sword fresh from the furnace, paid Bell little notice and told him to get on with what he wanted.
Bell explained that he would like to hire some workers to renovate the Hestia Familia home. In at least adding some rooms to the ground floor.
Goibniu paused in his work to turn to Bell, "Hestia?" he asked, "That Goddess round up enough money for renovations?"
Bell was quick to correct him and told him it was actually his money he earned that was going into this and that his Goddess had already given him much already and he wanted to pay her back somehow. As well as making their home more welcoming to their new Familia members.
The Craft God was further intrigued. Introvert, borderline neet Hestia? Had new followers! This was the biggest surprise today.
Well if he had to be honest, finding out that amazoness from Loki's Familia had melted her weapon was the biggest surprise.
Some of his children were still crying at their forges at such news.
"Alright," began Goibniu, "let's cut to the obvious chase. Hestia still live in that old rundown church?"
Bell nodded, "We all do."
"And how many of you are there?"
"Four, including myself."
Goibniu nodded, his decision settled, "Alright. For ten thousand valis, I'll have my children go and renovate that place. Install extra rooms for living, the works."
Bell was happy with what he was hearing. He was a little put off by the price but this was why he went here anyway. He was honestly prepared to spend all the money he had if that was what it took.
"That's great!" Bell exclaimed, unable to contain his joy, "When would be a good time for you to work? I can talk to my Goddess about a proper-"
"Tonight," Goibniu cut Bell off.
Bell was stunned, "Tonight?" he asked.
"That's what I said."
"Isn't that kinda…soon?"
Goibniu shook his head, "Actually no," he stared at Bell for a moment before looking behind him, where his children were working, "This kinda work might be a good break for some of my children."
Bell was flummoxed. On one hand, the craft God was willing to get the work done tonight. On the other hand, Bell's nature naturally wanted to argue that he didn't want to take the God's craftsmen from their work. He didn't want to impose.
Goibniu saw Bell's expression and moved to clarify things, "Don't think you're going to trouble my children with this. Truth be told, a few of my best smiths are working on a troublesome weapon for a client. Given how difficult it is to make and the materials that go into it, the work is making their morale drop quite a bit."
The God sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose, "Compared to making that weapon, renovating a dusty church is practically child's play. My children need a break from this thing and you just gave them one."
Bell wanted to argue but the tone of the God broke no argument. He was set on this and honestly, who was Bell to argue in the first place?
Bell handed out the money to the God, who took it with a nod of thanks. Before he left, Bell asked one last question.
"How many rooms are you going to install?"
The crafting God returned to his work with the elegant blade before replying, "That church is a good size, we should be able to fit ten rooms at most. They won't be big but they won't be small either," he glanced back at Bell after returning the blade to the furnace, "If Hestia is planning on getting more members, then ten rooms are a good starting amount. At least until you all gain enough to get your Familia a new home."
Bell found no fault in the God's words, what he said was true enough. He knew that eventually, as the Familia grew, he and his Goddess would have to find a new place to live in order to house themselves and their other members. It still felt like a long way off but with Bell's magic, it might just come sooner rather than later.
For now though, ten extra rooms was a good start.
With business done, Bell gave a deep bow to the God, who returned to his own work, before leaving himself and went on to tell his God the good news.
Briefly, he wondered how Arue and Hana were doing with their shopping. Orario was rich with many cultures with different styles. He was confident that they would find something they liked.
"…"
"…"
"…no."
"Oh come on! You'll look gorgeous!" said Arue, "at least try it on."
"No and for starters, how did we end up in this store of all places?" questioned Hana.
"Don't mind that," Arue countered, "Just please try this on."
"No."
Arue and Hana were already pretty much done with their shopping, they found it fortunate that there were so many stores to choose from and so many styles of clothing as well.
In fact, many of the apparel they found wouldn't be too dissimilar to what they wore in their worlds' originally. Arue even found cloaks similar to her own that were on sale and Hana found better shirts and skirts that were like her casual wear back in her original world.
They both had effectively completed their shopping and were set to come home, having spent less than what they originally planned, which was a nice bonus.
Now though, as they proceeded to go home, Arue's eyes caught sight of a certain store and she couldn't help herself. She also couldn't help dragging Hana along as well.
Dragging her into an Amazoness clothing store, where she saw the style of the warrior women first hand. Hana knew at least one person in her life who would be ecstatic by such a place. Hana would even compliment and praise her bravery if she were here now.
But they weren't and Hana didn't consider herself 'that' brave just yet.
They continued back and forth, with Arue picking out different clothing options and Hana shooting her down each and every time. It wasn't so long that eventually Arue just gave a huff and let the whole thing go.
It would have been fun but Hana remained steadfast.
With no other plans, the two left the store and proceeded to venture back home.
Behind them, the store owner, an Amazon, clicked her teeth and snapped her fingers. She was hoping to see either of them try her wears on. They had good bodies on them and she wanted a show after such a long day.
Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
Bell continued on his trek back home, a bit of a spring in his step. He couldn't wait to tell his Goddess. He couldn't wait to tell his party.
He just couldn't wait!
Sure it cost a pretty penny in terms of funds but it was really a discount all things considered. He was honestly prepared to drop the whole pouch at the God's feet if that was what it took.
Thankfully not.
"Oh! Excuse me!"
A voice called out to Bell behind him. He turned and saw a gray haired, gray eyed woman maybe a year or two older than him, she wore a green waitress outfit with a white apron tied to the front. Her uniform was modest and cute.
The girl was even cuter though.
Bell was at a loss for a moment, why would this pretty girl just suddenly talk to him? Eventually though, he found his voice.
"Hello," he began, "can I help you?"
The woman gave him a mischievous smile before holding up a small purple stone up to him. A magic stone.
"You dropped this when you walked by our restaurant," the girl said, "you gotta be more careful."
"Oh!" Bell was surprised, he thought he and his party turned all their magic stones in. Guess he missed one
"Thanks," he said, "I appreciate it."
"Hmmmm," the girl hummed, leaning closer to Bell as if to look at him more clearly. It made him blush a bit, despite being around Arue, Hana, or even his Goddess, he still wasn't great around pretty women.
"You're an adventurer, aren't you?" she suddenly asked, finally leaning back from Bell's space.
"Yeah," he replied, now wondering why this pretty girl was talking to him.
She smiled before continuing, "You should come by here tonight," she gestured to a good sized building that was clearly a pub of some kind.
'Hostess of Fertility,' was what it said on a sign posted just beside the doors.
Bell was in a tizzy, he dropped a magic stone he failed to turn in, a pretty girl is talking to him, a pretty girl is talking to him and inviting him to eat! So much is going on!
"Sorry," the girl's voice broke Bell from his internal rambling, bringing him back to the here and now. She continued, "I know that was abrupt and out of nowhere but I just like bringing new people to our pub. It's especially popular with adventurers, I just thought you would be interested."
The girl trailed off, looking down at her shuffling feet, seemingly embarrassed by her earlier forwardness.
Bell was always and probably always will be a softy at heart. Here was a pretty girl who was just inviting him to the pub and see if he enjoys it, like many other adventures in the city.
In Bell's mind this was just a polite invitation that he really had no reason to say no to.
"Sure," he said with a smile, "I'll be here tonight."
The girl was ecstatic, giving Bell a wide smile and a clap of her hands. "Wonderful!" she exclaimed, "Be sure to bring a lot of money. You're gonna eat a lot right?"
Okay, maybe the girl just invited Bell to the pub just for him to spend his money. It was too late to back out now anyway, not when she still looked at him with a cute smile and pretty eyes.
Eyes that seemed to have an edge of cunning to them, now that he looks closer.
"I'll try my best," Bell eventually said, "See you tonight Miss…" he trailed off, realizing he never got her name.
"Syr," she said to him, "Syr Flova, and your name is?"
"Oh! It's Bell," he said in return, "Bell Cranel."
Syr nodded with a smile, happy with getting his name, "Well, I'll see you tonight then Bell Cranel." She finished with a small bow before returning to the pub.
Bell watched her go before looking at and around the pub and committing its location to memory.
With that done, he turned and went back down the road to his residence.
He couldn't wait to tell his Goddess how his day went and the good news he brought as well.
"Tonight. Really?" We're Hestia's first words after Bell told her about his trip to Goibniu's Familia, "That's so soon. I'm surprised Goibniu did this out of any goodness in his heart. He's always been a professional God through and through. Very practical and practically not smiling all the while."
Bell saw that in the God, he didn't think a stern visage like his had smiled in decades, or, since he was a God, eons.
"Well regardless," Hestia went on, leaning back on the couch she sat on next to Bell, "It's gonna get busy and loud here tonight. Hopefully for not very long but it's a small price to pay for some extra living space."
Bell had to agree. Overall it was well and good that they were making use of the empty space they had in the church. After an untold amount of years, the space was finally being made into something useful. Since what it was hadn't been used since the Gods descended.
"It is splendid news Bell," came Arue's voice from across the coffee table from them, she was eating a potato puff that Hestia brought back from work. She was taking a fresh pinch of salt to the treat before continuing, "though alas, I won't get to have the chance to cuddle with Bell or Hana," she gave another dramatic sigh before biting into her snack.
"And you never would in any case!" Hestia exclaimed, latching herself to Bell's arm, "If Bell is gonna cuddle with anyone, it's gonna be me!"
Bell couldn't comment right now as he was experiencing the rather soft sensation currently pressing against his arm. His face burned red at his Goddess's apparent lack of tact. She always found some way or excuse to embrace him.
It made Bell happy that his Goddess was so loving. It also embarrassed him with how she showed her affection sometimes.
Arue finished her snack and with a dab of her napkin on her lips, she continued, "My my. Quite the risqué desire of a…virgin Goddess."
It was Hestia's turn to go red in the face, how dare this upstart floozy mock her divine status, "And what's wrong with that?" she countered, "I just want to hug and snuggle my precious Bell like any loving Goddess would with their children. Nothing risqué about it."
Bell was flattered and embarrassed again at his Goddess's words. And if he thought he was embarrassed now, what Arue said next practically made his face a cherry on color.
"Sure your intentions now may just be hugging and snuggling," she said, her hand posed near her eyepatch in another dramatic display, "but where does that lead next? Kissing, caressing, maybe some heavy…petting? How quick one's desires grow in the throes of love and passion!" Arue could have been more gentler and discreet with her word choice.
But where was the fun in that?
Hestia let go of Bell and put her full focus in attempting to counter her arguments. Arue responded in kind with more hypothetical scenarios that just inflamed Hestia even more.
Bell turned his attention to the last member of the Familia, as if by sight, beseeching her to help settle things down.
He needn't waste his breath though. Hana was practically in her own world, one full of potato puffs no doubt. Indeed, the moment she took her first bite of the fried snack, Hana was enthralled by its taste and texture. Even now she was eating what would be her fourth potato puff, staring at nothing while her focus would be on the delicious flavor in her mouth and hand.
While all of this chaos was going around him, Bell had an additional thought to add.
'Is this what having a Familia is like?'
Sure it was crazy right now, but Bell didn't think for a moment he would dislike it.
As their meal was being finished, Hestia noticed something.
"Bell?" His Goddess asked, "You didn't eat anything. Everything alright?"
"Sorry Goddess," Bell said, "It's just that I was invited by someone to check out this pub that's apparently popular with adventurers" he looked down, wishing he brought it up sooner, "Sorry that I didn't mention it before."
If his Goddess was offended in any way it was not visible for any to see, "It's okay Bell. I get you wanting to see something new and taste something that isn't a potato."
Bell elected not to comment, the potato puffs were starting to get tiresome to eat at times. But his Goddess went out of her way to bring them home from her work and could just refuse them.
Hestia gave a pat to Bell's head, standing on her tiptoes to reach further up and stare closer into his eyes.
"It's okay Bell," she said, "You work hard in the Dungeon and you deserve to reward yourself every now and again. Go out, have fun, and eat some good food."
Bell was touched by his Goddess's kindness again. She really looked after him.
Bell then turned his attention to his two new members and was about to ask them if they wanted to come.
"Tempting as it is," Arue interrupted his question before he voiced it, "I've had my fill of excitement today and would like to finish today with a good read." And reading was what she was doing on the couch having picked up a book that Hestia possessed.
Bell turned his attention to Hana. She was laying on the bed, staring blankly up at the ceilings while holding her hands to her stomach.
"Too much," Hana said, "full," she finished.
The potato puffs had proven to be her match it seems.
With the matter settled, Bell set out to go.
When Bell arrived at the Hostess of Fertility, he had not expected it to be this busy. Standing just outside the doors, he could see inside that the place was nearly filled out. With many patrons enjoying food and drink aplenty, as well as the occasional tale told at some tables and a card game or two at another.
"Bell!" A voice broke through his wonder as Syr walked through the doors and greeted him outside.
"I'm glad you came," she said, her smile practically glowing, "I was worried you would have ignored my invitation," she put in a faux sad frown, "and that would have made me really sad."
"I wouldn't have done that," Bell said quickly, falling for her fake frown, "you really sold me that this was a place where adventures gather, how could I not come?"
Indeed, just standing outside and watching the people enter and leave, Bell could tell that most of the people inside tonight were experienced veteran adventurers and now he was about to enter the same place as them.
What characters would he meet? What stories would he hear about the dungeon? And in a later thought, how good is the food here?
Syr believed he clearly thought enough 'about' entering. She grabbed Bell's hand, drawing a surprise yelp from him, and proceeded to guide him inside.
They passed tables, chairs, people, and waitresses as Syr led him to the Bar. Bell had scant time to take a good look at everything around him.
He saw a group of four dwarfs seemingly in a drinking contest with one another. On another table, he saw a duo of amazons leaning against a giant were-tiger, who was blushing up a storm at the gorgeous attention he was receiving. And at another table, he saw a party of adventurers enjoying one of their members playing a lute, though it was difficult for Bell to hear with all of the noise.
This pub seemed to be a haven for many adventurers of Orario, a place where they can rest, relax, and enjoy themselves in each other's company. This pub was a place that could breathe life into the weary with just its atmosphere alone.
Bell immediately liked this place and knew he would be back here again. Maybe with his Goddess, Arue, and Hana as well. He was sure they would like it too.
Eventually, Syr had Bell sit right at the Bar.
"Remember," she said, her eyes full of mischief, "To eat lots and lots," with her duty done, Syr went back to work. Leaving Bell in the care of someone else.
A plate was slammed in front of him, making him jump in surprise. On the plate was a spaghetti dish that was one of best Bell had ever seen. It was also the largest.
"So," a strong boisterous voice said behind the bar in front of him, "you're the scrawny new adventurer Syr was telling me about."
The speaker was a woman. One that was taller in height and wider with muscle than Bell could ever dream to be. She had brown hair and wore a uniform that was similar to what the waitress wore, except where theirs were green, hers was blue. She had a tough face but also kind, with smile lines evident.
This woman also had a presence that Bell could instinctively feel. She was someone who when she spoke, you listened. No if's and's or but's.
This was Mia Grand, or 'Mama Mia' by some. Owner and proprietor of the Hostess of Fertility.
"Well?" Mia asked, "You gonna introduce yourself or somethin?"
Bell remembered his manners then, "Sorry," he said, "my name is Bell Cranell. It's nice to meet you." He gave a brief bow where he was seated.
Mia laughed at the kid, his nervousness was apparent, "Take it easy! No need for that in my pub. Take a look around! You see anyone acting so polite."
Bell didn't need to look, his first steps in this place told him already that this place was as informal as it could politely get.
"There ya go," Mia said when she saw him relax a little, "just enjoy the food and drink, overhear some gossip or tales and have a good time. And above all else," she dropped another plate next to Bell's spaghetti dish, this time it was a whole fried fish, still steaming as it was freshly made.
"This all looks really good!" Bell exclaimed, absolutely delighted by what was in front of him, though there was one thing that bothered him, "but I didn't order anything, I just got here."
Mia pointed a thumb to the side, where Syr was taking orders at another table, "Syr told me you were here to eat well and that you'd pay well too," she gestured down at his plates, " and those two are some of our house specials. Do eat up!"
Bell looked down at his hot and fresh food before looking over at Syr. She caught his eye and pointed behind him with a smile.
Bell looked behind them then and saw on a far wall, where the house specials were listed on a board. He saw their prices as well.
"Two hundred…three hundred. This dinner is going to cost me five hundred valis!"
After he paid Goibniu for renovations and gave Hestia a portion for the Familia treasury. Adding this dinner in, he's coming close to spending all the money he earned today.
If Arue and Hana were here, he didn't know if they would laugh or scold him. They might do nothing, which could be worse than anything.
Bell could only sigh, it really had been a long day, now he just wanted to eat and go to bed.
So eat, Bell did and it was some of the best food he had in the city. The spaghetti was plentiful and coated in a rich sauce that was only enhanced with the coating of vegetables on it. The fried fish was juicy and flaky, as well as having a delicious breading that was well coated with different spices.
Did it cost a bit? Yes. Was it delicious? Absolutely!
Bell was well on his way to finish his dishes, when he heard a voice to the side of him.
"So, how are you liking it?" She had come up to Bell, when things were getting to a slow point. The dinner rush was nearly over and some waitresses had time to take a break.
"It's good," Bell replied neutrally.
"Awww! What's wrong? You're not upset that I may have invited you here just to get you to buy some of our best dishes?" She finishes, voicing exactly what Bell was thinking. She was very good at reading people.
"Maybe," Bell said, wiping his face of any spaghetti sauce he had on it.
Syr had the decency to look down in meek shame, "Sorry," she said, "I just saw you and you looked like a fresh adventure. I just wanted to show you a good place that many other adventurers liked," she demurely added next, "I hope you're not mad."
Bell was annoyed and that was as far as it went. Syr tricked him, yes, but it wasn't anything malicious.
Besides, Bell really couldn't stay mad at anyone. Wasn't in his nature.
"I'm not mad," Bell said, "Just next time, be a bit more honest with me, please."
Syr practically alighted at his words, "Next time? So you're going to come by again?"
Bell was left briefly stunned by her words, 'What happened to being apologetic? Where did this energy come from?'
"Y-yeah," Bell replied, "this place is very fun and the food is great. I'll definitely come by, maybe next time with the rest of my Familia."
"That sounds great! Oh! But come by in the morning before you go into the dungeon."
"Why?"
Syr looked at Bell as if he was struggling on a study problem that had an easy answer. "So I can give you a lunch before you go into the dungeon, silly."
This stunned Bell, what an abrupt offer, "U-u-m, are you sure you want to do that? I don't want to cause you any trouble."
Syr waved Bell's concerns aside, "It's alright. I already asked Mama Mia and she was okay with it."
Bell turned to where Mia was handing out drinks to a few more patrons down the Bar. Mia caught Bell and Syr staring at her and she gave a halfhearted wave.
"Don't care. Do what you want." was what the gesture meant.
"Well…if you're okay with it," Bell eventually conceded.
The smile on Syr's face told Bell he had made her day. Whatever it was that he did, and besides, he's getting a free lunch out of it every day and Syr seems very happy to do it.
"Nya, Everyone! The party with the big reservation arrived! Nya!" a brown haired cat girl waitress said near the entrance.
Coming through the doors was a group Bell never expected to see.
Coming from the doors was a group of adventurers, a blonde pallum that walked ahead of the party with an unwavering gait and confidence. Behind him was a brown beard dwarf that Bell could describe as a stout wall of muscle. Filing in close was an elf in robes with long emerald hair, who walked with grace and beauty that only a noble could have. Besides her was another elf dress in pink with honey-brown hair tied in a ponytail. Following close behind her were a pair of amazons, one with long dark hair and blessed with a curvy figure that was emphasized with her choice of wear. The amazon near her had short, dark, spiky hair and in comparison, possessed a much more lithe figure than the other amazon, the tube top she wore in addition to the pareo around her waist highlighted the firm strength she possessed. A bit back was a werewolf with gray hair and possessing an air of strength and intimidation, his very demeanor telling everyone around him to step aside or be crushed. There were a few others as well but they went unnoticed when Bell saw someone he recognized.
It was the last person in the party that drew Bell's attention immediately. He felt his heart jump in his chest and a warm flash coursed through his body.
She was just as beautiful as he remembered her, gold eyes and long golden-blonde hair, an athletic and slender figure that was complimented with her one piece battle dress, minus the armor, and long blue boots. As she passed by, Bell saw that the dress she wore showed a small amount of her chest on the side to be visible and that it was backless as well.
Ais Wallenstein the 'Sword Princess.'
Seeing this made Bell blush while still in his stupor and Syr was waving her hand in front of his face in an attempt to get his attention, with no results.
Eventually Syr turned to where Bell was looking and saw the new arrivals just sitting down and where a waitress was taking their orders.
"That's the Loki Familia, they're practically regulars here," Syr said with a smile, "they just came back from an expedition a day ago and Loki immediately called ahead for a reservation. To celebrate their return."
Eventually, food and drink were brought forth to their table, practically overflowing it. The members raised their drinks high.
"Cheers!"
With the shout done, they proceeded to feast and drink a-plenty. Bell spent some time watching them, he wasn't just looking at Ais by then, but the Familia as a whole.
An expedition, a journey into the unknown parts of the dungeon. To find new treasures the dungeon produces, to see new environments in the deep floors, and to face all manner of mysterious and monstrous creatures that lurk down there.
Bell could hardly imagine himself doing such a thing, even with his new members, he knew that it would be a good long while if he ever got to something that exciting.
But it was still something he would like to strive for someday. He glanced over at where Ais sat.
There were a few things he would like to strive for.
"Hey Ais!" the werewolf suddenly barked out, face red with drunkenness, "You gonna tell that story or what?"
Bell listened, wondering what tale would be told.
Ais seemed at a loss at what her companion was talking about, "What story?" She asked.
The werewolf gave a howl of laughter at the reply before continuing, "You know the one! When we came up from the floors chasing the minotaurs. When you saved that white haired weakling!"
Bell's body went stiff.
"You all should have seen it! This little rookie adventurer was on the fifth floor when this minotaur came runnin for him! Kid scrambled and ran around like some luckless rabbit!"
Bell turned his head down, looking at his knees, seeing his hands were clenched upon them.
"The guy gets backed into a wall, screaming his lungs out, when Ais comes and cuts it to pieces! That kid got doused in blood from head to toe! He looked like a damn tomato!" This detail got a few chuckles from some members at the table but some were silent, not interested in the werewolf's telling of events.
Bell heard those that laughed and he wished he could just crawl in a hole right now.
"Then after the kid got doused, Ais asked if he was alright. And you know what he did next?" He paused for a moment, adding a drunken dramatic effect, "He ran! Fast! He turned tail and ran from the Sword Princess as fast as he could, screaming his lungs out!" He burst out laughing again, which some members did upon hearing the end to such a crazy tale.
Bell's heart was beating like crazy. He felt embarrassed, ashamed, and not a small amount of anger.
Some at the werewolf's words but mostly at himself.
"Enough Bete!" A regal woman's voice cut through the commotion, "Do I need to remind you that it's all our fault for scaring those monsters to upper floors? Don't you think it's ridiculous to mock someone for suffering 'our' mistake?"
Her words were like getting splashed with ice cold water to those who laughed at Bete's story. Though that didn't stop him in the slightest.
"What!? Please! A scrawny weakling like that kid had no reason to be on the fifth floor if that's how he reacts to a surprise encounter," the werewolf countered, words slightly slurred.
'Is he right?' Bell's thoughts were a storm of doubt and self incrimination, 'It may have been a minotaur but would I have acted similar to a monster coming an extra floor or two up from where it was?'
"Ais be honest with me," Bete went on, moving to a different subject, "Who would you go for? Me, or that scrawny weakling?"
"Umm Bete. I think you really had too much to drink now," another voice said, the pallum, Bell thinks.
"You're wasting your time Finn. Bete is too far gone to stop now," said another more gruff voice, the dwarf.
"Well Ais? What's the answer?"
Bell had heard enough, before he realized it, he had left his seat, turned, and ran to the exit.
"Bell!" Syr's surprised voice called to him but he was too focused on leaving.
He ran outside and down the street ignoring any further cries behind him. The aching in his chest and frustration in his stomach propelling him on.
Unaware of a pair of golden eyes, looking out towards where he ran.
'It hurt!'
Bell's thoughts were askew with doubts and frustration. He had been running for who knows how long. He couldn't stop, he didn't want to stop.
The anger and frustration at the werewolf's words were potent enough on their own but there was one thing about them that hurt Bell more than anything.
The truth.
Bell couldn't deny it. What the werewolf had said was the honest truth, no matter how anyone could tell him otherwise, the truth in the words was plain to see.
Bell wasn't strong enough for himself. What made him think he could be strong enough for someone like Ais, a level five adventurer where he is a level one.
He never faced the foes she faced, he never fought for years in the dungeon, he didn't have her skill, her speed, her technique.
He honestly didn't think he would have her time.
Let alone her heart.
Bell kept running. He ran until he felt his lungs burn, where every breath felt like he was breathing in fire. Until he reached where he wanted to go. Where he could take his frustration out and be productive about it.
Babel and underneath it, the dungeon.
Bell went in and immediately started to find the nearest monster to fight.
He did and it wasn't long for this world.
But it wasn't enough Bell's heart and mind burned with one desire.
'I have to get stronger!'
He kept on fighting monster after monster. Going further and further into the dungeon.
A kobold tried to bite his neck, its throat met Bell's dagger.
A goblin tried a sneak attack, Bell dodged and severed the goblin's head in a back cut.
A dungeon lizard hoped from the ceiling somewhere to ambush Bell, he reacted swiftly and split the creature's belly.
More and more they came and Bell met them head on. Every swing and stab with his blade was made with purpose, with desire.
He felt something wrap around his waist and pull him back, before a slimy darkness covered his vision. Thinking quickly, he thrusts up with his knife and feels it stab through something soft, squishy, and rubbery. Next thing he knows, the monster that attempted to eat him dissipated into ash, leaving Bell on his back, panting.
His arms felt like they weighed twice as before, his legs felt ready to give out from under him at any minute, and he was beginning to feel the numerous cuts and bruises he got from monsters he encountered.
As he stood up, he saw something some distance away beginning to form. It was almost like darkness itself was giving itself shape and form and sure enough that was what was happening.
Wall shadow. A monster that makes its domain on the sixth floor of the dungeon. It was humanoid in shape but resembled little else in any regard.
He had ended up on the sixth floor.
And the monster wasn't alone.
Where there was one, now there were nine others forming around it and they all had their sights set upon Bell, their target, their prey.
Bell stared down the monsters before him. A brief shock of fear stings his heart. He had never faced monsters like these before, he had never even seen them. He thought about running, he was injured enough as it was and this may be too much for him to handle.
"A scrawny weakling like that kid had no reason to be on the fifth floor if that's how he reacts to a surprise encounter."
The words of the werewolf stung him again. Here he was, now on the sixth floor, a surprise revelation only compounded by the encounter before him.
Was it a surprise? Definitely!
Was he gonna run? No!
Bell got into a stance, his dagger held in front of him. He had no armor but his clothes, he had no potions to heal his wounds or recover his stamina.
But he had something else, a desire that burned in his heart that he could even feel in his back as well. He wouldn't run. He would fight.
The monsters came at him then and Bell met their charge with a shout. With one driving answer at the forefront of his mind.
'I will get stronger!'
The remaining members of the Hestia Familia were worried. Their captain had been gone since last night and daybreak was about to occur on the horizon.
Arue, Hana, and their Goddess stood outside, looking down the road that led to the city proper. Waiting for Bell to return since last night.
The Familia were waiting just outside their newly renovated home, courtesy of the Goibniu Familia. What was once a church, though it still bared some similarities, now was more akin to a dorm home. Each room was a good size for a single person, even with a double-bed, small desk, and small closet inside, there was still a comfortable amount of space in each room to walk around in.
What threw Hestia off was that she had expected them just to add rooms to the ground floor.
She had not expected them to add a second floor to the building for the additional rooms.
Five rooms at ground level and five rooms on the newly constructed second floor.
It was almost too much but upon questioning the lead worker, she got an unexpected reply.
"We needed a break from working on 'that' gods-awful weapon. This was a palate cleanser and you needed the space anyway right?"
Hestia could not argue after that and the results were telling. The second floor was well and good with a staircase and even a small lounge area by a window. They went quite far at ground level as well. Clearing out pews and debris from the dilapidated church to make space for the five rooms. Who's doors were along the aisle upon entering, with three to one side and two on the other with similar design layout upstairs.
In addition, what was once an altar, was now a large lounge area that was emphasized by the large stained glass window providing wonderful lighting.
Hestia needed to get new furniture for both lounges though, considering the only furniture in them were the remnant wooden pews that were left.
And sitting on them could get painful after a while.
This was all well and good and Hestia was as happy as a clam when they were done. Goibniu must have sent his best because they got the work done before the night was out.
The thing was that, though Hestia was happy, she would be happier if Bell was here with her. With their Familia.
Their Family.
Arue and Hana were similarly worried. They had been keeping watch for any signs of Bell's return and had yet to see anything and as the sun rose upon the horizon and still no sign coming from the visible landscape, their concern grew all the more.
Has something happened at the pub? Did he get mugged? Or, Hestia's concern, did he get seduced and taken away for the night?
Whatever thoughts or ideas they would have were cut off when Arue noticed someone walking down the path towards them.
It was a familiar figure and even more so when the rising light shined upon him.
It was Bell, walking/limping his way back home.
Covered in cuts and blood.
Arue and Hana acted fast, followed by their Goddess, they raced down to Bell who just arrived midway from their home.
Upon seeing the damage that was inflicted on him, Arue and Hana paused. What happened to him? Was the thought of the two and as they thought more on it and peered closely at the damage, they knew that there was only one place he could have sustained such cuts and bruises.
His shirt and pants showed cuts that came from not a knife or any blade, but from the rough sharp claws of beasts, monsters.
Bell had gone into the dungeon, by himself, with nought but a knife to protect himself.
His two Familia members were taken aback. Why would he do this? What possessed him to go down there? Alone?
"Bell!"
The shout of the Goddess Hestia drew their thoughts away from 'why' to 'now'.
Hestia approached her first child and held his face in her hands, ignoring the dirt and blood on it, focusing solely on her first child's safety.
She was glad he was alive but questions still came to the forefront.
"Bell," Hestia began, "what happened?" She had many more to ask but that was the most important one.
"…ong." Bell's voice just came out, barely above a whisper.
Hestia, Arue, and Hana leaned in close. Trying to catch what he said.
"I want to get strong."
There it was, a simple desire. Whatever happened while he was gone, it seemed to trigger a desire within him.
It was admittedly a selfish desire and not an uncommon one in this city.
But it was one that Bell felt strongly enough to nearly get himself killed for.
Hestia wanted to ask more but before she could, the last vestiges of Bell's strength finally left him and he collapsed.
Hana was quick to act and caught him before he fell upon his Goddess. Arue went to aid in supporting their now unconscious captain.
All under Hestia's watchful eyes. Seeing the concern and relief in the girls as well.
With slow trudging steps, in an effort to not jostle Bell too much, the now complete Familia headed to their home.