When he was younger, Bell was captivated by the stories his grandfather told him.
Stories of men and women of old. People who constantly did the impossible and performed feats that inspired others around them to speak of their achievements for generations to come.
His grandfather called them heroes.
They were those who were there before the gods descended from the heavens. Living in an era where the world was overflowing with monsters, they were the only line of defense that stood in the way of the world's destruction. In most of the stories his grandfather told him, they were often empowered by spirits to aid them in their quests.
Nowadays, that age has long since passed. With the gods descending from the heavens to live amongst mankind, they blessed their followers with their own divinity that allowed anyone to fight back against the monsters. Soon, these gods would form a gathering that would later be dubbed 'familia'.
Many familias focused mostly on whatever gods respective domain was. The Demeter familia was famous for their work in the agricultural business while the Ganesha familia was known for being effective monster tamers.
But familias also share one thing in common: They were all committed to the exploration of the mysterious underground known as the dungeon.
Located within the city of Orario, it is the frontier between the surface and the underground. A large structure that served as a bottlecap between the world of monsters and the surface. It is said that without it, monster kind would rejoin the rest of civilization on the surface and plunge the world into an era of darkness.
The only entrance in and out of the dungeon was in Orario, and it was in everybody's best interest to journey within it and uncover its secrets. As it stood, nobody truly knew just how deep the dungeon went. The farthest anyone has ever gotten was the 59th floor by the Zeus and Hera familias, making them two of the most famous groups in the history of Orario.
Thanks to them the term adventurer was a title many held with pride. It was the dream of many to obtain and surpass the glory of those two familias and have their name sung everlasting throughout history.
That is why Orario continues to gather souls from all over the world who are eager to test their skills in the dungeon. Those who could delve deeper and farther than anyone else would surely be respected not just in Orario, but the rest of the world as well.
Bell wasn't completely like that. He indeed came to Orario to start his career as an adventurer but he couldn't care less about the riches and prestige that came with it.
No.
He wanted to go on an adventure just like the ones his grandfather told him about.
Money and power were fine and all, but an adventure was worth more to him than just that. Just like heroes saving princesses from a disastrous fate, he wanted to have a life-changing journey of his own. Something that'll stick with him for the rest of his life.
He wanted to make his own story... a story worth being told for generations to come! A story that will make people smile no matter how many times they heard it!
But before that...
"Urk..."
Bell grimaced as he drew his knife and knelt down next to the corpse of a freshly killed green goblin. It was a small, repugnant creature of miniature stature and was considered to be one of the weakest lifeforms in the dungeon. They were often considered the mooks of the monster species and could be dealt with easily by even beginner level adventurers.
Its beady eyes stared back at him lifelessly and he tried hard not to look as he slowly pressed his knife against its chest. Carefully, he made several small incisions around a visible lump. After cutting around it, he took his hand out and grasp the small lump before pulling to reveal a small stone.
A magic stone. The valued remains of a monster that could be taken in to be traded for currency. It was how most adventurers made their living.
"I believe that's enough for today."
He observed the stone for a moment before placing it in a pouch that was strapped to his waist. Inside were several other stones that had been nearly filled up completely. It would be hard to sneak in another few for some extra cash so he decided to head back and call it a day.
Wiping off a bead of sweat, he stood up and began heading back from where he originally came. He was careful in making sure he memorized the exact route he took since it was very easy to get lost in.
That and his advisor hadn't allowed him to go into the dungeon without making sure he knew how to properly navigate around the first few floors on his own and memorized its layout by heart with the maps provided.
It had been a tiring ordeal but he knew that it was a necessary precaution. It wasn't unheard of for adventurers to get lost in the dungeon due to a variety of factors. Some simply weren't paying attention and others were chased by monsters. In either case, such an event could prove fatal even to the hardiest of adventurers. While there were teams in place to help guide those back to the surface, it was almost always advised to have a good understanding of mapping and memorization before entering the dungeon.
Some were able to make good money off of creating detailed maps of the floors. Of course, it was a risky business since they had to physically explore the unknown regions themselves before anyone else.
As he made his way back, he found himself taking a short break on a nearby rock as he fought to catch his breath.
"Oh, man... I really exhausted myself," He muttered with a sigh. "Miss Eina is going to be mad..."
The thought of a young half-elf with glasses giving him a stern look and another lecture entered his mind and he found himself shivering.
"Ah... what a scary thought."
She was really scary when upset. Granted, he knew she was just trying to make sure that he was always being careful. With how adventurous he was, she instantly and vehemently forbade him from going down to the deeper levels until he raised his stats to an adequate level.
If she hadn't, he may have actually done so and gotten killed for his efforts. Still, he wasn't exactly content with just being on the same floors day after day. He was here to have an adventure, after all!
Gaining experience and levels from defeating monsters was often a slow process. Experienced adventurers say it is fastest when they were starting out but become slower over time. Eventually, it would get to the point that it would take several months just to raise their stats by several points when before it'd take only days.
But that didn't deter him. Even if it took days, weeks, or years, he would eventually become strong enough to explore the entirety of the dungeon. That was one of the goals he set upon himself.
As he stood back up, he suddenly jumped when the sound of cracking rock reached his ears. Spinning around, he noted that the nearby walls shook with dust as if they were going to crumble apart at any moment.
"Eep!" He scrambled back and quickly drew his knife, fearing the worst. "A monster spawn?!"
Monsters were known for spawning directly from the walls of the dungeon so he expected the worst. His fists clenched tightly around the knife as more cracks began to appear.
After a few moments, no monster appeared from the wall. Hesitantly, he let his knife down and slowly began inching towards the source of the disturbance, his curiosity getting the better of him.
He tapped the stone wall with the tip of his knife and pieces of it gave way to reveal an enclosed space behind it. He strapped his knife back onto his waist and began using his arms to force his way through.
With some effort, he managed to carve out a hole small enough for him to fit through. Crouching low, he ducked underneath and found himself standing in a small room that was lit only with several green gemstones.
"W-woah," He let out a breath of amazement. "A... hidden room?"
Had he just uncovered something no adventurer had done before? A secret room within the well-explored upper levels of the dungeon?
A sense of giddiness flew through him at the thought before his attention was suddenly drawn towards an object laying on a stone slab just a few feet away from him.
It appeared to be... a cup?
He knelt down next to the chalice and gently picked it up. Careful observation showed that it was incredibly well made at the very least and was untarnished by its surroundings. It was made out of what appeared to be gold and wasn't ornately decorated.
Other than being a golden chalice, it didn't look particularly amazing.
Still, it was a treasure! He just found some treasure!
But still, he found it slightly odd. Why was there a hidden room only for this chalice? Adventurers were known to find treasure from time to time, but they were mostly weapons and pieces of armor. Never something as mundane as a chalice.
He should ask Eina about it. She would certainly know at least something about the subject or at least know what to do with it.
Perhaps he could sell it for a fortune? How much would this chalice even go for?
Gently placing the cup in his bag to hide from others, he left the room and began to continue on his way back to the surface with a newfound pace filled with excitement.
Finally locating the exit to the surface, Bell quickly climbed the stairs while being careful not to disturb the other adventurers who were on their way to the dungeon.
In terms of age and experience, he definitely felt out of place. Men and women of all races and sizes carried a sense of purpose and confidence that made him feel small in comparison. It was as if he was a bunny that could only just barely nip at their heels of proud lions.
They all descended in groups with laughs and smiles. Each were part of a familia, a group made up of individuals with strong familial bonds between them. They watched each other's backs and were able to go further in the dungeon than if they had been on their own. Unlike him, who was the sole member of a lone familia and could barely even reach past the first few levels.
It was a lonely thought.
But for once, that thought was pushed to the side as his excitement propelled him forward towards the guild where his advisor waited for him. This was his first big find. While he hadn't caught a girl like he thought, he did find something that was just as good!
As he reached ground level and moved to cross the street towards the other building, he failed to realize a shape suddenly crossing his path.
"Oof!"
He suddenly staggered backward as he found himself running full speed into a tall figure. He quickly righted himself and bowed as low as he could.
"A-ah!" He squeaked. "I'm so sorry!"
A light chuckle reached his ears alongside the sound of clothes being patted.
"No problem. Old as I may be, I'd hope I was strong enough to not be done in by a light tap from a kid," The figure went silent for a moment. "Er, boy. You can raise your head, you know?"
"Oh, right!"
Bell raised his head and stared at the person he had just ran into. It was an older looking man who appeared to be in his early or late twenties. He wore baggy, grey combat fatigues tucked into a pair of plain boots. His upper body was clothed in a dark green tunic that was covered by an extra frontal layer of a more vibrant green design kept in place by a belt and a cloth around his neck. Strapped to his waist was a golden sword that gleamed faintly in the light.
He looked a bit more finely dressed than the usual folks. Bell briefly wondered if he was an aristocrat of some sort.
But the feeling he got from the man wasn't similar to the nobility he had seen from a distance who carried themselves a certain way. He was almost too casual as if he was just out for a stroll and forgot the time.
When he smiled, he looked like the type of person that never got bogged down by anything life threw at them.
"So what's got you in such a hurry, kid? I know you're young and all, but it's good to move slowly once in a while."
Bell blushed. "I'm sorry... I just came from the dungeon and was going to go see my guild advisor to report my findings for the day."
"Oho? An adventurer?" The man's eyes twinkled. "So you're one of those people who earn their living down there, huh?"
"Well, I suppose," Bell tilted his head. "But um... are you not an adventurer, sir?"
"Nope. Just got here yesterday. A little bit new to the whole thing."
"Really? So... you're from a familia outside of Orario?"
"Eh? You mean those groups headed by a god?" The man scratched his chin. "Nah, not with one of those either."
"What?! But you look like an adventurer!" Bell blurted out.
He smiled sheepishly. "Haha, I suppose I do. Well, I'm more of a warrior than some cave explorer. The whole concept of exploring the underground is completely foreign to me."
Bell stared. "A warrior? Then you fought for a neighboring country?"
The man's smile faltered for a moment.
"Here and there. My career isn't really that important. If anything, more people were focused on what my enemy did rather than me," The man waved him off casually before smiling once more. "So what's in the bag, kid? You've got my interest piqued."
"My bag?" Bell tensed slightly at the question, not having expected it. "It's just got some supplies for the dungeon. Ropes, potions, all that."
"Sure, sure, I believe ya," The man nodded. He glanced over Bell's shoulder to his pack as if he could see what was within it. "But you're excited for a reason, yeah? And from what I've heard, the only things that could get adventurers like you excited are if you got stronger... or if you found something of monetary gain inside and brought it back with you to sell for a profit which is more likely."
He tilted his head with a coy smile. "Am I wrong?"
Bell's mouth opened and closed like a fish. He thought about denying it for a second but the truth was clearly written on his face. He may as well have been holding a sign that screamed 'yes' in all capital letters.
But that brought up some scary thoughts. What was this man going to do with this information? Mug him? Take his loot for his own and dump his carcass in a nearby alley? Bell was kind, but he wasn't completely unaware that there were shady individuals who were willing to commit heinous crimes for some quick coin.
The man held up his hands non-threateningly upon seeing him freeze up. "Look, kid. I won't do anything to ya. We're in a public place and there are too many witnesses around. It's not as if I could do anything to you without anyone seeing."
"T-that's true..." Bell admitted as he looked around the area. There were still people out and about even as it was getting late and the square was packed. It really would be suicidal for this man to try anything while they were here.
Besides... this man seemed nice and probably didn't have any ulterior motive. If anything, he looked as if were allergic to the concept of putting in work for anything as strange as it may seem.
He sighed and slung his pack off his back before slowly opening it to reveal the contents inside.
The man's expression morphed into surprise and... recognition once he saw what was before him.
"Oi, kid..." He breathed out as he eyed the chalice. "You got this in the dungeon?"
"Y-yeah," Bell admitted as he watched the man's expression. "Do... you know something about it?"
The man let out a short laugh but it felt devoid of some humor. "Yeah... yeah, I do. What you got is something special, kid. It's not something that many people should really know about."
"What?" Bell closed the bag and nervously looked around. "Why is that?"
"..."
The man was silent for a moment as he stared at the bag, but his eyes were moving as if he was thinking deeply about something. His gaze wasn't threatening per se, but Bell felt nervous the longer he was under his gaze.
Eventually-
"Kid... You've got a familia, correct?" He suddenly asked, surprising Bell.
He nodded. "Yeah..."
"Then how about I join? I'll tag along with you into the scary dungeon and see what all the fuss is about."
The request came so far out of left field that Bell was silent for a moment before responding.
"W-wait!" He waved his hands around frantically. "Y-you want to join my familia? I-I mean that's awesome and all but..."
The man's eyebrows rose. "But?"
"Well, we're sort of... poor. Plus, I'm the only member."
It was true. Really, him and his goddess were poorer than dirt. It was almost a guaranteed certainty that there were no other familias in Orario that were as poor as they were. Logically, it made zero sense for anybody to join them when they could try their hand at the other more powerful familias.
To his surprise, the man just laughed.
"Is that all? That's no big deal," The man waved his concerns off. "So will you have me? You can't really call yourself a familia if you don't have more than two people, right?"
"Y-yeah, I suppose..."
Really, this man's cavalier attitude was something else.
Bell was quiet for a moment as he pondered on what his response should be. Should he accept the man's offer? New members would always be useful, but...
"Are you only asking to join... because of the cup?"
In response, the man shamelessly shrugged.
"Mostly. As I said, that cup is special. I'm not exactly comforted that it's in anybody's hands at all," The man admitted. "But at the same time, I was planning on joining a familia anyway. It's where my skills would best be put to use, after all. I was just going to take some time scouting first."
"I-I see..."
At least he was honest about the whole thing. In a way, it was comforting. At least the man wasn't trying to hide anything. Plus, he offered to join his familia. While Bell had been surprised at first, this wasn't an opportunity he could just let slip through his fingers.
He was sure his goddess would have accepted without a second thought. Therefore, he must do his best to carry out her will in her stead.
"Alright... I'll take you to my goddess and she'll induct you into the familia."
At his words, the man smiled once more.
"A wise choice, kid. I'll be in your care," The man grasped Bell's hand and shook it, the adventurer noting that his grip was quite firm and strong. "So what's your name, kiddo? If we're going to be in the same familia we should know each other's names."
"Bell Cranel." He responded, meeting the man's eyes in order to at least appear strong.
The man seemed amused at his actions if the twinkle in his black eyes were anything to go by.
"My name is Hector. It's a pleasure to meet you... Bell Cranel."
Hector watched the boy exchange those little gems in his pouch for what he deduced to be the proper currency used in the town. Then he moved over to a nearby counter and exchanged words with a young woman wearing glasses in a suit.
The girl had a nice expression but as the conversation dragged on she would gain periodical looks of seriousness before launching into what he believed was a scolding if the boy's response was anything to go by.
He chuckled at the sight. That boy really kept some interesting company.
Then again, everything about this world was interesting.
For starters, his presence was an anomaly, something that even he had no idea about. For starters, he was in a body of flesh rather than a vessel made of spiritual energy. In more magical terms, he had undergone a spirit reincarnation.
When he first came to, he had expected the call of a grail war. Instead, he was met with no such thing. No master or a call to fight. It was perplexing... and more than a little suspicious.
So he traveled around and investigated all he could about this world before determining that he should head to Orario.
This world was pure with mana. It was an environment that was not in any way different from the era from which he came.
And so he knew before he saw it... That the gods walked amongst mortals.
Still, he was surprised by what they were doing. Taking on groups called familias and actively being a participant in societal affairs... He was more than a little surprised by that.
The gods he were used to were far more detached from reality. Oh, they certainly had a presence, but it was rare for them to interact with mortals so casually like this. They were to be respected and feared, more like forces of nature that had to be avoided for one's safety. Sure, they could call upon them and even barter from time to time, but gods never had much of a physical presence in their lives.
Their presence was often followed by swift punishment. So fast you couldn't even tell what had happened.
"Man... this place certainly is interesting..."
Just what had called him here? And if he had been called here... were there others?
Perhaps he was the only one. Perhaps he was the first. But it was far more likely that more had been summoned both before and after him.
In that case, what would they do?
He knew the answer. Heroes like him were drawn to places where there was conflict. Inevitably... one way or another...
...They'll end up here.
"Mr. Hector?"
He was brought out of his musings by Bell's voice, the kid glancing up at him with a strange look.
"Miss Eina says she'll have everything ready for your registration by tomorrow. She gave me some papers for you to sign later, though."
"I see," He glanced at the woman Bell was talking to, who smiled and waved from her position at the counter. He gave a polite wave back before she went to handle another adventurer. "Then let's get moving, yeah? It's getting late."
"R-right! This way..."
The boy led him out the guild and through the winding streets of Orario. The place truly was a bustling city that rivaled some of the greater poleis of Greece. Its splendor wasn't the same as Troy, but it was still a nice place nevertheless.
But just like all places, there was a good and bad side.
Eventually, the nice buildings made up of wood and stone vanished as they were replaced by cracked rubble. Ruined buildings that stood on their last legs surrounded the area they had just entered.
It was a ghetto of sorts. Of the few people he could see wandering the area it was clear they were those who were unfortunate enough not to be born into a higher class.
Even in Troy they had places like these. Money wasn't infinite and sometimes resources had to be diverted elsewhere in order to prevent the entirety of the city from collapsing. It was necessary, but such a sight was always disheartening.
Still, even these people had praised his name when he walked through the poorer districts. Even if he couldn't give them more, he was glad that he was able to create city where even a weak man could find some semblance of happiness.
"Here we are."
Bell stopped in front of a structure that looked like a church. Numerous cracks appeared up and down its walls, looking as if the structural integrity of the compound would give way any second.
"Your patron god lives here?" He asked incredulously. "You said your familia was poor, but..."
"She's one of the newer goddesses who descended from heaven," Bell explained with a dry chuckle. "Compared to the other gods who have been here longer, it's hard for her to establish anything for herself."
"Hm... I see. We'll have to do something about that in the future."
He wasn't going to lie, the whole place made him feel jiffy. As a military commander, his eye had already zeroed in on all the defensive advantages and disadvantages it could provide them.
Needless to say, it was nothing more than a giant stone coffin. Anybody could just cause the structure to collapse and crush them all if they were assaulted.
As Bell pushed through the doors, he moved to the back of the church and descended a set of stairs in a narrow passageway.
"I'm back, goddess!"
"Bell!"
As Hector followed after Bell, he suddenly stopped as a small, feminine shape tackled Bell and sent him stumbling back into the wall. Hector gaped at the strange sight as the being appeared to be crushing the young man in a tight hug.
"You finally came back! I was getting so worried... what took you so long?! You were gone an hour longer than usual!"
"Eh... I'm sorry, goddess Hestia... I just lost track of time."
"Ah, geez! You're doing a number on my immortal heart!" The goddess chastised with a cute pout before blinking when she realized that they weren't the only two. She turned her eyes towards Hector, who stared at her with an odd look on his face. "And who are you?"
"This girl... there's no mistaking that aura... and Hestia?"
Hector was silent for a moment before he responded with a light chuckle. This entire situation is just comical.
"My name is Hector... and I'm just an old man looking for a familia to join. I heard from the boy that you're currently open."
"Really?!"
In an instant, the girl bounded up towards him and stood uncomfortably close.
"You'll really join my familia?!"
"My... how assertive," Hector laughed awkwardly. "I did say that, didn't I? Why would I come all this way not to do so?"
"Hurray!"
The girl grabbed his arm and pulled him down the stairs to the couch, plopping him unceremoniously on the fabric.
"Now, take off your shirt and lay on your belly. I'll need to do a ritual in order for me to bestow my blessings upon you."
"Eh... alright."
He slipped out of his shirt to reveal a surprisingly fit body. Scars from previous battles long ago and toned muscles showed years upon years of battle. Hestia seemed surprised by his appearance.
"Were you a warrior, Hector?" She asked curiously as he slowly rolled over to reveal his back.
"Once upon a time. I left that behind me, though."
"Hm... well, that experience will serve you well in the dungeon," Hesia murmured as she drew a knife and pricked her finger, causing blood to slowly form. "Now this may feel weird, but it's all a part of the ritual. It's imperative you hold still until it's done."
With that said, the goddess traced her finger over his back in intricate designs he had no idea of. There was then the sound of rustling parchment that was placed on his back before the goddess drew on it with blood as well.
"...Done!"
She took the parchment from his back and gave it a quick rundown in order to ensure that everything was alright.
Hector
Level 1
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
Skills:
-Guardian of Troy: Parameters of self and allies rise during a group battle. Rises even higher if on the front lines. Allows for accurate assessment of the situation and the ability to respond accordingly.
-Proof of Friendship: Lowers the fighting spirit of opponents and increases the chance of entering a dialogue with said opponents.
-Disengage: Skill that allows for the user to break off from engagements and reset battle conditions to what they were at the beginning of the match.
"Everything looks good," She muttered, her eyes glued to the bottom half of the stat sheet. "But three skills? That's rare. I suppose it isn't unheard of... Some people have more than three."
She handed Hector the sheet, who chuckled fondly.
"Ah... Probably developed from my time in the military. They certainly are part of tactics I like to use."
"Woah, really?"
Bell, who didn't truly have a concept of military warfare, could only blindly admire the man in front of him.
"Yeah. Words are usually better than swords, but harassing the enemy without giving them time to rest is my favorite strategy," Hector leaned back into the couch. "Of course, I'm sure my enemies would have said that my tactics were rather cowardly."
Well, he wasn't like those stuck up generals who fought for the greeks. Although, Odysseus was one he could respect. Part of the reason why he was able to prevent Troy from being overwhelmed early on was because he was willing to adopt all sorts of strategies that deviated from conventional norms.
Of course, the greeks were fated to win anyway. So everything was for naught in the end.
"Anyway," He began as he sat back up and turned to Bell. "Bring that cup out, kid. As promised, I'll tell you all about it."
"Ah, right!"
"Hold on, what cup?"
Hestia glanced curiously as Bell placed his bag down and took the golden chalice out. The goddesses' eyes widened in surprise at the sight.
"Good. Toss it here."
Hector caught the chalice out of the air and inspected it briefly for a moment before nodding and turning to Hestia.
"Little goddess, do you know what this is?"
Hestiawas quiet for a moment as she observed the cup. Eventually, she shook her head.
"It's a cup, but I have a feeling that's not what you're implying," She replied. "Is there something special about it?"
"Well, it's a magical device... meant to grant wishes."
Silence.
""Eh?""
Both Bell and Hestia stared at the man who simply shrugged.
"It's true. This thing is a wish-granting device."
"T-that can grant wishes?" Bell stuttered, amazed that he had been lugging it around this whole time.
"Yeah. That's its purpose," Hector nodded before frowning. "Although... it appears to have already been used. I'm detecting little energy left in it. Now, it's nothing more than a golden cup you can drink out of."
"Mou... are you serious?!" Hestia pouted once the bad news hit her. "If it were me... I'd wish for like... a million wishes!"
"Haha, I don't think that's how it works, little goddess," Hector shook the cup and placed it on the table in front of them. "Still... that doesn't mean it can't be one again. All it needs is to absorb magical energy. Still, it could take many years for that to happen. The amount of energy required for a miracle is..."
A lot. They really couldn't imagine it.
That's why grail wars were originally separated by several years in order for there to be enough energy for the ritual.
"Well, it doesn't matter. The point is, a wish-granting device is dangerous and can gather a lot of unsavory folks. Evil people and all that junk," Hector said as he eyed the cup. "For that reason, I believe it's safe with a trustworthy familia. A familia that isn't tied too deeply with the affairs of the city."
"So you don't trust the guild to take care of something like this?" Hestia asked.
"Not really. While I'm sure that the guild is an effective governing body, the temptation of a wish-granting device can lead men astray. That's why it's better if fewer people know of its existence at all."
His eyes narrowed. "After all, items like these only sow discord in people's hearts. It's better if we keep it stashed away where no one will know."
"I suppose you're right..."
Both Bell and Hestia looked disappointed by that. It's not every day one can come across something like a wish-granting device. It sounded like a legendary item out of one of the stories Bell's grandfather told him.
Upon seeing their dejected looks, Hector gave them a light smile.
"Oi. Cheer up. As I said, something like this isn't truly worth it," He stretched his back and stood up. "So... what's for dinner?"
At the mention of dinner, Bell rubbed the back of his head while Hestia perked up.
"Oho! Well, my newly initiated child, it's jagamaru!" She exclaimed, puffing out her chest.
Hector tilted his head, unfamiliar with the term. "Jagamaru?"
"It's like a deep-fried potato," Bell explained. "They're pretty good and one of the few things we can get our hands on. Since goddess Hestia works at a stand, the owner gifts her leftovers from the day."
"Mmm! And since I did such a particularly good job the owner gave me a bunch today! Let's have a nice treat to celebrate Hector's inclusion into our familia!"
"Haha... I'm honored..."
Jagermaru really was an interesting treat. It certainly wasn't horrible. In fact, he'd say it was a pretty good meal despite having little variety.
After they were done eating, Bell decided to head to bed early in order to prepare for the next day. Apparently, it was normal for him to do so because the boy often burnt through most of his energy while in the dungeon.
Goddess Hestia declared that she'd follow after him and share the bed, much to the boy's embarrassment. Not willing to touch that mess with a spear, Hector said he'd take the couch.
Really, to think that Hestia, the virgin goddess of the hearth universally loved by all in the Mediterranean, would be like that...
It was too obvious of her attraction to Bell. But then again, it's not as if he couldn't understand. From what little he could glean from their conversations, the boy had a good head on his shoulders. A strong sense of justice mixed with some childish naivety. It reminded him of Paris when he was younger. Although unlike his brother, he didn't appear to be a sniveling coward sometimes.
Honestly, he loved his brother. He truly did. But that boy really got them all into trouble...
Before he went to bed, Bell gave him the papers to sign that his advisor gave him. It didn't take him long to finish, seeing as how they were just some basic questions like his name and such.
He finished answering the questions and neatly shut the folder before passing out immediately on the sofa. A nice little ability of his was to fall asleep wherever or whenever he wished just by closing his eyes.
Some called him lazy. He liked to think of it as regaining energy for future use.
Eventually, time passed, and the sun rose once more bringing the new day.
"Good morning, Mr. Hector."
Bell greeted the older man as he stepped out of his room.
"Just Hector is fine, kid. We're part of the same familia and all that."
"Eh? But you're older..."
"I'm not one for those formalities. Just think of me as the cool old uncle that lives across the street," Hector flashed him a thumbs up as he stood up. "So we'll be heading to the dungeon bright and early, yeah?"
"Yep, that's the plan. We'll have to finalize your registration first, though."
"Anything else? We need supplies, right?"
"Well, I didn't use any potions yesterday so I should have enough for both of us. Plus bandages and other items... but I don't think we'll need to use them. The monsters we'll be seeing aren't particularly strong."
"That's a relief, I suppose. Though, is it more likely that you are just trying to avoid spending money?"
Bell blushed and looked away, causing Hector to smirk and pat him on the back.
"It's all good, Bell. I understand we can't be throwing our money around. That just means we gotta avoid pushing our limits, yeah?"
"R-right..."
"Hmph! I'll be very upset if you two don't follow your own advice!"
Hestia barged into the living room and stuck a finger in Hector's face. "Make sure you don't push yourself, okay? I'd be terribly upset if my new child got himself hurt on his first day in the dungeon!"
"Ehehe... Relax, goddess Hestia," Hector put his hands up to try and calm her down. "I won't push my luck. I know my own limits better than anyone, after all."
"Good! As Bell's senior, I want you to keep an eye on him if he tries pushing himself more than he can handle!"
"L-lady Hestia... I'll be fine!"
"I know how you are, Bell," Hestia rolled her eyes and tapped his cheek with her finger. "I know that you're desperate to get stronger and see all there is to see in the dungeon, but that line of thinking can be dangerous if not restrained. My heart will be a little more at ease knowing that there will be someone to watch your back!"
"Mu..."
Bell fidgeted awkwardly under her assault and Hector just stared with amusement.
"Do not be afraid, my goddess. By my honor, I will ensure that no harm comes to Bell so long as I am with him."
Hestia let them go with a smile on her face after relentlessly fretting over Bell, causing the boy to have a smoking blush as they walked through town.
"My... our goddess certainly has a soft spot for you."
"W-well... I suppose that's because I'm her first member."
"Ahaha..." Something in Hector's laugh made it sound as if he didn't really believe that to be the case. "Well, as far as gods and goddesses go... I believe we got a lucky hand. She's a bit unusual, but it's charming in its own right."
"Don't let her hear you say that," Bell warned.
"Oh, I won't. Don't want to deal with her getting handsy with me."
The pair reached the guild and headed inside. Eina was at her position by the desk finishing up with another adventurer. When she saw them, she smiled and waved them over to the counter.
"Good morning, you two," She greeted with a smile towards Bell and a small bow towards Hector. "Mr. Hector... have you finished filling out the necessary paperwork?"
"Yep. Got it all here," He said as he handed her the folder. "There anything else I need to do?"
"No, I will handle everything else myself. Let me just make sure you filled everything out correctly-" She paused for a moment as she zeroed in on an unchecked box. "Oh? You're not going to accept the issued armor and weapons from the guild?"
"Well, my familia can't exactly handle having to pay off a loan right now. Besides," He rested his left hand on the sword at his waist and tapped his chest. "I've got my own equipment to work with."
Eina eyed him up for several seconds before slowly nodding.
"Alright... You do look to be prepared at least. Certainly more prepared than Bell was," She closed the file and smile, ignoring the boy's cry of protest. "Well, that'll be all. I'll have your file processed in the meantime, but you're free to enter the dungeon with Bell."
"Haha, thank you, Ms. Advisor. We'll see you later."
"Goodbye, Ms. Eina!"
"Mr. Hector!"
Hector stopped and looked back at the advisor, giving her a quizzical look.
"Yes?"
"Please... watch over Bell. He can be a bit impulsive."
Bell let out another sound of protest as Hector just nodded with a confident smile.
"Of course I will."
"You're really popular with the ladies."
"Please stop..."
Hector had mercilessly teased Bell all the way to the first floor, causing the boy to blush red like a tomato. If he kept it up, the boy's face would permanently be like that.
"Haha. It's nothing to be ashamed about. Most men would wage war to be in your position, you know?"
"You sound like you're speaking from experience!"
Hector's laugh echoed throughout the dungeon, scaring a few adventurers who happened to hear it.
"Ah, well. That's enough talk. It's time for business."
The pair stopped in their tracks as the sound of cracking stone reached their ears. Ahead of them, multiple monsters were crawling out of holes that had formed in the dungeon walls. Several of them were green little imps while others were humanoid creatures with heads resembling that of a dog.
Goblins and Kobolds.
"Oho? Looks like they came out to play. This place really is as exciting as people described it to be."
Bell watched as Hector stepped forward confidently, his hand placed firmly upon the sword at his waist. His posture was completely different than usual. He was radiating confidence so visible that it felt as if there was a visible aura around him.
"U-um..." Bell's voice shook as if he were forcing himself to speak. "Do you need help?"
"Haha. Watch and learn, kid. When it comes to combat... I'm not half bad."
Impatient, one of the Kobolds rushed forward with its claws outstretched ready to rip Hector's throat out. Bell's breath was trapped in his throat as he watched it grow closer... and closer...
Then as the claws were mere inches from Hector's throat, he moved.
In one fluid motion, Hector's sword found itself immediately buried into the spot where the monster's heart would be. The blow had been so decisive that the monster had died instantly, exploding into dust.
"Ah... as I expected."
Hector sighed as he stared at the monsters before him, who now balked at the sudden death of their comrade.
He smirked.
"Still got it. Now to dispose of the rest of you."
As if triggered, the monsters immediately rushed forward in a frenzy. It was such a terrifying sight that Bell found himself stepping back slightly in fright. But Hector...
Without hesitating, Hector threw himself forward. He had no true experience in martial arts, but even Bell could see that Hector moved like a warrior. He kicked one goblin to the side, stabbed another through the head, and even used his free hand to punch an attacking Kobold in the head so hard it exploded.
The man had claimed he had a military background. It was clear that he wasn't lying. His moves just oozed experience honed on the battlefield.
But still...
Was he really someone you could call a level one?
Hector ducked under another strike before kicking with his leg to send a Kobold falling backward to the floor. Before it had even hit the ground, Hector's sword was buried in its head.
"Phew. These things really are monsters."
He stood up and turned his attention back to the last Kobold remaining. It had now frozen up completely after seeing its comrades dispatched so easily in front of it. Hector smiled.
"Are you going to make me come over there?"
The monster growled before it attempted to flee down the passageway. Hector sighed and shook his head.
"Trying to run, eh? No different from an actual wolf..." His eye gleamed. "But I won't let you get away. You'll cause too many problems."
Then to Bell's absolute shock, the handle on his sword extended. It had become over a foot long, turning the sword into a-
"A spear?!"
Hector immediately took aim and hurled the sword turned spear. Without fail, it sailed through the air at an absurd speed and impaled the monster. The creature let out a howl as the force of the spear carried it into the wall, killing it instantly.
"Oof... My back is killing me."
Hector rubbed the back of his back gently as he casually walked over to retrieve his spear, pulling it out of the wall as if pulling out a weed. Once he did, he shot Bell a sly look.
"Well? Like what ya saw?"
"U-uh..."
Bell could only stammer out a few feeble words in response. He was completely overshadowed by Hector's presence and display of power. The way he moved... the way he fought... it was as if he were witnessing one of the heroes he heard so much about.
The entire exchange happened in less than ten seconds. What often took him a minute or two of hard work and injuries had been accomplished as easily as breathing.
It was amazing...
"Oi kid... you still alive?" Hector asked, snapping a finger in front of Bell's face.
"O-oh, yeah..." Bell squeaked. "It's just that... well... you were really amazing. I've never seen anyone move like that."
"Years of practice, kid... and blood. Though I must admit that these creatures aren't exactly as bright as a human so there's that." Hector glanced at the stones laying on the ground where the monsters once were. "With proper technique, speed, and power, it is easy to overcome monsters like these."
"Technique, speed, and power..."
He never really thought about it like that. To him, dodging and putting the sharp end of the knife into a monster was as far as his thought process went in terms of combat.
"Guess I really do have a lot to learn, huh..."
Bell suddenly blinked when he felt a weight on his head. Looking up, he saw Hector standing beside him with his usual look.
"Don't think about it too much, kid. I've been fighting for a very long time. That skill translates well into the dungeon. You're an amateur on the other hand so it's to be expected of how little combat you actually know."
"Mu..."
"But..." Hector removed his hand and gave him a thumbs up. "That just means I'll have to show you the ropes. This old man is gonna give you some pointers."
"R-really?!"
"Of course, Bell. We're in the same familia. It'd be strange if we didn't support each other."
Bell felt tears threatening to spill from his eyes, but he decided to give a sharp bow instead.
"Thank you so much!"
"Mhm. Now, the way most people improve their technique is by sparring against an opponent. However, the BEST way to improve would be to experience live combat for yourself. Therefore..."
Hector pointed to a small goblin that appeared at the other end of the hall. It turned its eyes towards them and let out a small screech.
"Engage that little fellow in combat. I'll observe your movements and mannerisms and tell you what you need to work on. If things get too hectic, I'll step in."
"Right!"
Bell drew his knife and gripped it tightly in his hands as he eyed the goblin. Its beady eyes locked on his and he felt himself grow nervous for a second.
"No... don't be nervous. Hector is right there. He won't let you die."
With a yell, he kicked off the ground to meet the goblin, his knife gleaming in the darkness.
The goblin was considered one of the weakest monsters in the dungeon. A monster that served as little more than an annoyance on the first floor for most adventurers descending to the deeper floors.
But to Bell...
It was the first hurdle to surpass on his adventure.
Hector smiled.
"Let's see what you got, kid."