Chapter 2

Author's note: This is a rewrite of this chapter without the male OCs I had written initially. Hope you will enjoy rewrite and future chapters that would coming after this one. From now on this would be BellxAsfi with some minor romance with other girls. Hope you will enjoy it guys.

As Bell was cornered with no possible escape on the 8th floor of the dungeon, he decided to call for backup like a true hero would,

"AAAAAAAAAAGH, someone help me!"

Just one day before this, Bell's brain was working in overdrive mode since the moment Eina told him he would have to find some rare item for Asfi to notice him. That was until he was approached by a figure with a well-known brown hat, right after he went out of the building.

'Here comes the hero. I should probably embarrass him so that he would be more talkative' thought Lord Hermes sitting on the edge of the fountain.

"Hi, Bell! Hiiiiii!" yelled Hermes when he was running to Bell after sitting at the fountain near the Guild's headquarters. For some reason it was embarrassing for Bell to see a god approach him like that. As if Hermes purposely yelled so loudly to embarrass him.

"Hello, Lord Hermes. I am surprised to see you here," said Bell as he was approached by the god.

"Long time no see, how you have been doing, Bell?" said Hermes while patting him on the back.

"Pretty good, Lord Hermes. I just came back from the dungeon. Ohh, and you won't believe me, but I was attacked by a runaway minotaur on level 5."

"Wow. A minotaur on level 5. But you're just a level 1. How did you defeat him?" said Hermes with a surprised face.

'Yes, my plan is working. Now that he talked about it, I will get him in no time' was what really crossed Hermes' mind at that time.

"I didn't. I was saved by Asfi from your Familia." Bell said as he slightly blushed. This was enough for Hermes to confirm his intelligence about the feelings that Bell Cranel had at that moment.

"I see. I see." Said Hermes with his hand put to his chin, as if he were thinking about something at that moment.

"So, do you like Asfi, Bell?" said Hermes with a huge grin on his face, knowing where he wants this conversation to end up.

"No, why would I like her. I just wanted to thank her for saving me. That's all." Bell panicked as he realized that Lord Hermes didn't ask him about thanking Asfi. He knew he should have just left it at plain "No". His panic increased, when he remembered that gods can see through lies and Hermes would want him to tell him the truth.

Being able to see through lies, Hermes's interest in this situation increased dramatically.

"Of course. I understand that you need to say thank you to the person that saved you, Bell."

Bell was confused by Hermes's words since he knew that he lied just before this last phrase but remembered that everyone described Lord Hermes as the most eccentric god. He thought that maybe he was drunk, or his mind was clouded for some other reason.

"But how do you plan to do that, Bell? You know, I can help you with that!" said Hermes white pointing his thumb at his chest and smiling.

"Really? Lord Hermes, I would be so grateful if you can help me. Yeah, regarding my plan. I wanted to find some rare item that Asfi would need for her crafts. Do you think this will work?" said Bell with relief because he understood that Lord Hermes would help him out without making him blush further.

"Hmmm, a rare item. I remember hearing something today during our Familia's briefing about one rare item she wanted Laurier to get from level 8. If you come closer, I can say what it was." Said Hermes as he called Bell to let him whisper into his ear.

"Whaaaaaaaat?!" exclaimed Bell in disbelief.

"Yep, I also reacted that way. Sadly, no one appreciated my joke during our Familia's meeting. I don't even know why no one reacted when I said it - they only see me for few days every month. Perhaps, since Asfi practically runs the whole Familia by herself while I am away, she wants everyone to be serious even during meetings. Hehe"

"Anyways, Bell. I think I may know where you can find it."

"Really, Lord Hermes? I would appreciate it so much if you would help me." Bell suddenly became even more excited than he was before.

"Yeah, from what I know, this item usually drops with a guaranteed chance from a rare Blue Kobold from that level. I am not sure how often it spawns, but Asfi said she needed it rather soon because she wanted to finish one of her new Burst Oils."

"Thank you so much, Lord Hermes. I owe you one." he said as he was shaking Lord Hermes' hand.

As Bell ran away full of motivation in the direction of the abandoned church, Hermes whispered to himself:

"Your boy is not wasting any time, Zeus. A new hero of age indeed." He said as he chuckled.

When Bell came back to the abandoned church, it was about the evening time already. He felt hungry, but he still wanted to tell his goddess about everything that happened today.

"Goddess! I'm home!" said Bell as if he was taking off his equipment.

"Bell, why were you away for so long?" she said with a voice of a concerned mother.

"I am sorry, goddess. I know I promised I will come back sooner today, but it's just a little accident that happened to me." Said Bell with a completely stoic face.

"Ohh no, Bell. What happen to you?"

"I was chased by a minotaur."

As he said those words, Hestia almost fell of the chair from the shock.

"You were chased by whom?!"

"Yes, today there was this accident in the dungeon when minotaurs ran away from the lower floors up until the 5th floor. I was training there by myself when I saw it." said Bell with a small grin.

"Ohh no, my little Bell. Are you hurt?" she said as she tried to take away his shirt to check for any wounds.

"No, my goddess. I was saved by Asfi Al Andromeda from Hermes Familia." Bell said with only a hint of the slightest blush. He tried his best to hide his feelings, and it seemed to have worked this time since Hestia was more worried about Hermes Familia at that point.

"I guess that is good, but I wouldn't trust Hermes Familia too much. Hermes is the type of guy to always work only in his own interests." She said as she started to think heavily.

"Ohhh, don't worry goddess. I also met with Lord Hermes again today. That was the first time we have met since we bumped into him a week ago. I feel like he is a really good god. He always acts as if we are good friends, even though I just know him for a week."

"What did he say?" she said while being worried about what Hermes wanted from her child.

"He said that if I wanted to thank Asfi I can try to find a rare item she needs right now. He even told me where I can find it. It is the … that Asfi needs" Bell said after switching to whisper and moving closer to her goddess.

"Are you sure, he wasn't joking around, Bell? I know about this item, but I never heard that it can be used for anything." Said Hestia with a heavily surprised face.

"Yes, don't worry goddess. Lord Hermes seems like a nice god. I don't know why everyone says that he is strange or anything. He seemed to be telling the truth."

After several seconds of intense brain activity, she suddenly asked

"Wait, but why do you need to give her anything for saving you. Didn't you already say thank you when she saved you in the dungeon? She is a high-level adventurer after all."

"I am sorry, goddess, but I didn't. I ran away." He said while blushing

"Ohhh, I see where it is going," thought Hestia

"Well, Bell. I don't think I will allow you to go to find that item then. I know you fell in love with that Asfi Al Whatever [Bell became as red as a tomato when he heard that] but not only it is dangerous for you to go to level 8, but I also feel that Hermes didn't say everything he knows to you. He may sound like a friend, but you should be careful around him. Besides, sometimes we should just look around and find happiness that is already here instead of trying to reach out to stars." Said Hestia, while moving closer to Bell and smiling.

Bell's innocent nature wasn't able to process what goddess meant by that, but he knew that even if he would be scolded later by her, he still needed to get that item.

Because of that, Bell decided to steer the conversation away from Asfi and started talking about his status update.

"So, goddess can you please do a status update for me. I just thought that maybe me running away from that minotaur helped me to get stronger in any way."

"Sure, Bell. I actually just wanted to bring that up." She said as she pulled out a long needle and picked her own finger with it making a single drop of blood fall onto my back.

Hestia then proceeded to check his Falna and was shocked but was able to hide it from Bell because she sat behind him.

"Wow, you grow so fast, Bell. I think you running away from minotaur really did help you become stronger. Hee-hee"

"Thanks, goddess. I will try to not disappoint you. You can trust me that I will do whatever it takes to level up."

Bell turned around and took his new status sheet from Hestia's hands.

Name: Bell Cranel

Familia: Hestia Familia

Race: Human

Level: 1

Strength: I-75 → I-82

Defense: I-13

Utility: I-95 → I-96

Agility: H-102 → H-172

Magic: I-0

Magic

( )

Skills

( )

"Wow, I got such a big boost in Agility. That was definitely because of me running away from that minotaur." Bell thought to himself.

"Is this good enough, goddess?"

"Yes, Bell. You work very hard, and I see it already paying off. It is just that I think it would be better if you would forget about that Asfi Al Whatever and focus on things within your reach. You know, for your growth."

Those words hit Bell like a spear just went through his heart. He knew that no matter what Eina or his goddess would say, he would try his best to be with her. Besides, from what it looked like Bell thought that he was at least average in terms of his progression, so he had at least that going for him."

Meanwhile, Hestia was panicking after checking his Falna. She felt bad for lying to her child about him not having any skills because he was her first and only child. At the same time, however, she felt that it would be for his own good if he would not know about such a strong skill. When she looked back at his real status sheet she was still in shock.

Name: Bell Cranel

Familia: Hestia Familia

Race: Human

Level: 1

Strength: I-75 → I-82

Defense: I-13

Utility: I-95 → I-96

Agility: H-102 → H-172

Magic: I-0

Magic

( )

Skills

Liaris Freese

Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings. As a side effect it makes the user immune to charms

"I am sorry, Bell. But I do this for your own good."

Afterward, they had dinner and went to sleep. However, Bell was unable to sleep that night since he was thinking about Asfi.

"If only I could reach her." thought Bell before he finally went to sleep after few hours of looking at the ceiling.

As bell woke up, he saw that it was 5 am on the clock, so he decided that it was time to take action.

"Ok, looks like she is still sleeping." Thought Bell before moving away from his goddess.

"Now, all I have to do is just sneak out and be on my way to Guild's headquarters." Said bell as he was already running at his maximum speed to be the first one there. His new agility level undeniably made him feel much swifter than before.

"I have to do this. Even if it takes me the entire day to find that Kobold. And what would Asfi think about me if I would actually get it?"

"Oh my god, thank you so much savior of the Orario oh great and all-mighty Bell Cranel the First. May I please become your princess and can you please princess carry me wherever you want." Said imaginary Asfi in Bell's head before he realized how ridiculous it sounded.

"Ok, maybe not like that."

"Hello, Miss Eina. How are you doing today?" said Bell as he entered the lobby room of the Guild's main building.

"Wow, looks like I am in fact one of the first ones here." He thought to himself.

"Hi, Bell. What are you doing here so early?" she said as she was quite surprised to see a level 1 adventurer here at this time. Usually, it was someone from an experienced Familia who wanted to exchange magic crystals from a nightly dungeon run.

"Miss Eina, can you please let me go to level 8. I really have to go there to get one item that I need. I promise not to die there." He said with the cutest face that he only could have made.

Eina on the other hand understood why he would need some rare item [while blushing] and blamed herself for giving Bell advice regarding how to get closer with Asfi Al Andromeda one day before.

"Bell, I know that you want to get a rare item for someone important to you but can you at least wait a little? You barely survived yesterday from that minotaur that chased you."

"Miss Eina, I know that you worry about me. But please understand. This item may be something that will change my life, and, besides, I was doing very good on the 5th floor until that minotaur arrived." He said with an incredibly proud face.

"Well, Bell. If only there would be something that would convince me that you will survive there when you will be trying to find that rare item. Perhaps, something like a new status sheet." She said hoping that he would get what she wanted him to do.

Eina herself was confused about what she was doing. Endangering the life of a young adventurer on the one hand, but, on the other hand, he was so cute, and she wanted to play a matchmaker. She knew that this was a big risk, but she decided that if he would show at least somewhat passable status she would let him go.

"Miss Eina, I have a new status sheet with me here! My goddess just updated my status last evening." Bell said with a happy voice from remembering that he still has his new status sheet in his back pocket.

After taking a look at his new status sheet, Eina was beyond amazed and her jaw dropped to the floor.

"What is this, Bell? You gained so much agility from running away from minotaur?" she said while trying to correct the glasses that have fell slightly from the shock.

"Yeah, my goddess said I am working hard, and I don't want to disappoint her. I try my best, but sadly my magic is still 0."

"Well, I am impressed with your new status update. Since you want to be with her so much [Bell started blushing], I will let you go there once to find that rare item. But this a last time I do something like this, Mr. Cranel!" she said as he was already leaving the table where they have talked.

"Thank you, Miss Eina! I promise not to die!" said Bell as he was running out of the Guild's headquarters.

"What am I doing? I let my emotions take over me and let him go on the 8th floor. If he survives, I will definitely give him a lot of books to study as a punishment." She said to herself after Bell left the building.

"But at the same time, he looked so cute how could I not say yes… Wait, what am I thinking. I am a professional. Besides, he said that it was for Asfi. I wonder if he thinks I am better looking than her."

"Ohh no, I did it again." Said Eina to herself when she heard someone ask her to help another early morning adventurer.

"Yes, what can I help you with …"

Meanwhile, someone standing far above the whole city of Orario whispered,

"This soul is so pure. And just what is this magnificent color. You will be my next Odr. Hee-Hee" she said while heavily blushing.

As she was looking at his soul, she felt that Ottar was also interested in this adventurer.

"Ottar."

"Yes, my lady."

"What do you think about him?"

"I can't say much, but he seems to be a newbie adventurer. Though, he is running quite fast for someone that only recently came to Orario."

"Interesting…"

"Ottar, can you do something for me…"

"I will do everything for you, my lady"

"Go out and find out more information about him. I want to know everything about him but stay in the shadows. I would like to see what he would do next if we won't interfere."

"Will do," said famous Boaz also known as King as he left his goddess to complete his task.

As Bell was running away with a speed even faster than the one, he had this morning, he miscalculated his turn rate and crashed into someone who was far taller than him.

"Hey kid, watch your steps!" Said the werewolf figure with a strong and angry voice.

"I am sorry, Sir. I am just trying to get to the dungeon as fast as possible."

"Who do you think, you are kid! Crashing into people and then giving some made up excuses. Huh! You better be happy I am tired from my nightly dungeon run." Said Bete Loga with as he was turning away from Bell and walking to his initial destination – Guild's headquarters.

As Bell and Bete were about to part their ways, Bete turned and asked Bell something after he thought that he reminded him of somebody he already saw,

"Wait, kid. Are you the one who got saved from minotaur from level 5 yesterday?"

"Yes?" Bell said, not knowing what will happen next

"Hahaha. I am surprised you still are going to the dungeon then. Pathetic losers like you are important for me to have some entertainment." He said as grinned and finally turned away from Bell

Bete's words did hurt Bell, but he stayed on his course since he had a mission to accomplish.

As markets already opened, some Familias were doing early morning shopping. One of those Familias was a Loki Familia.

"Hey, Finn. Is there anything else we need to buy here?" – said Tione to her captain in an incredibly happy voice.

It was not a regular occasion for a captain of Loki Familia to go on a shopping trip with his fellow Familia members, but today was one of those irregular occasions. He, along with Tione, Riveria, and Lefiya, went out to buy some potions, books, and new staff for Lefiya. He wanted to come himself today because his favorite potions ran out and he always wanted to test the quality of potions on the spot, even if it was always the same result since he got them from the same place.

As they were moving through the streets of Orario, they saw Bete on his way to the Guild's headquarters.

"Hi, Bete!" said Finn

"Hey Cap! What are you doing here so early?"

"We are just buying the potions and some other stuff for Riveria and Lefiya." Said Finn in an affirming voice.

"What about you Bete. Where are you going?" said Tione

"I am going to the guild's headquarters to exchange crystals from my nightly dungeon run."

"Well, see you later then," said Finn.

After walking several steps, Bell turned swiftly as if he suddenly remembered something.

"Ohh, and by the way Riveria. You won't believe, but that kid who got saved by Asfi yesterday is going to the dungeon again. I bumped into him this morning. Kid sure is eager to die." He said with a smile on his face.

"Thanks for the information, Bete" said Riveria in half-annoyed voice.

After Bete left, Finn felt how his thumb started hurting and thought that it probably had something to do with that kid who got saved by Asfi.

"Can you tell me more about him, Riveria?" he said as they were already on their way back to the Twilight Mansion.

"Sure, Finn" she said while not understanding why Finn would ask about him.

"…"

"Hmm. Interesting. Do you know what Familia he was a part of?" he said as he put his one of his hands under his chin and another one under it.

"No, as I said he dashed after Asfi killed that minotaur."

"I see…" said Finn as everyone entered the Twilight Mansion just before the noon.

Thanks to m3n4sk3r, Vixal, ekaterina016, LegancyZ for critique on my first chapter. I tried to fix most of the things, but I always appreciate feedback.