I forget that Bell didn't get the Liaris Freeze skill until after being saved by Aiz. I've made some modification to the last chapter to accommodate that.
Thankfully, it didn't affect the story too much. Bell has more tricks then fast-level up.
Essentially he'll be turning his story from an RPG to an action-adventure game.
Xxx
The Missile Maestro
Xxx
"Bell what's that?"
"That's a stall Olivia."
"Bell who're they?"
"Those are explorers Olivia."
"Bell! I tripped!"
"That's what legs are for Olivia."
And that was the theme of all the conversation between Olivia and Bell for the last few hours.
Not that Bell could blame her. She was just created after all. And Orario does have a lot of colorful sights. It's surprising she knows as much as she does.
That's the thing about Olivia. She seems to shift between immediately knowing what something was and being confused by something just as simple. And it didn't seem like she was lying either.
Hestia told him to take Olivia to the guild to begin her registration. And sure enough, they found themselves in the building where so many adventurers start their journey.
Olivia gaped at the size of Babel. The tower where many gods gathered, where many sell their wares, and the entry point for the dungeon. She was excitedly taking it all on as the two reached the registration area.
"Who's this Bell?" Eina asked when she saw the two walk in.
Eina was a pretty half-elf who served as an adviser for the guild. Bell has met her the first day he registered, and he was assigned to her before he could start his descent into the dungeon.
"Oh this is Olivia" Bell introduced the bouncing girl. "She's the newest member of my Familia."
"Hi!" The girl nodded, smiling sweetly. "It's nice to meet you!"
"Oh hello there." Eina smiled back. "It's nice to see your Familia expanding. You're here to register her?"
"Thank you M'am!"
"I'm not that old…" Eina muttered. When she finished the registration she glanced at Olivia's stat sheet and raised an eyebrow. "You're a princess?"
"I used to be one…it's a long story."
"I understand…" Royalty coming to Orario wasn't anything new. But something tells her by the blonde girl's dejected tone that there is a story there that wasn't in her place to know.
"So do you have any way to fight?"
"Fight?"
"Yes. The dungeon is someplace where explorers fight and journey to get reward. It's best to get weapon and armor beforehand"
"Armor? But I don't know how to fight" Olivia said ashamedly. All she's done is play support for Mario.
"That's OK." Bell comforted. "You'll learn. All you have to do is find your style."
Olivia nodded. In her past life she mainly relied on Mario since there wasn't a surplus of magic circles, and her own paper body was quite weak.
"Well if you can come another day, I can show you potential weapons."
"Really?"
"Of course." Eina nodded. "Most business their weapons in the tower, I'm sure you can find someone willing to give you a demonstration."
"Well let's go!" Olivia cheered as she walked out. But she paused and turned her head in curiosity.
The owner? A pretty blonde girl about Bell's age. She was clad in armor and had a serious expression on her face.
"Who is that girl?" Olivia asked curiously.
"Oh that's Ais Wallenstein." Eina revealed. "She's one of the top adventurer in Orario. One of the Loki's familia most member. She's known as the 'Sword Princess'"
"Wow…she's so pretty…" Was Bell's comment. A large blush on his face.
"Seriously? At first sight?" Olivia chuckled. "That's so cute Bell."
"Quiet…" Was Bell's grumbled response. She was just a pretty girl that's all…one he wish he could've saved in the dungeon.
Xxx
"Are you sure about this?" Take-Mikazuchi asked in surprised in what Hestia told him. He was casually inspecting the origami animals that Bell created.
Hestia nodded. The storm god was one of her few ally since she came here. He even showed her the powerful 'Dogeza' technique. And since Origami came from the eastern land, she figures he has to know about the 'Fold of Life'.
"I've familiar with Origami yes..." The god admitted. "However, to bring a creation to life…only Benzaiten was capable of it, and she's currently in heaven right now."
"That figures…" Hestia sighed. That would be too easy wouldn't it?
"What can you tell me about the girl?" The eastern god continued. "How would you describe her personality? Is she unstable?"
"She's an utter sweetheart." Hestia retorted. "She's so nice…but it's weird. Sometimes she's shows confusion on what she logically shouldn't know. Other times it feels like she's seeing something again." And Hestia would know if she was faking anything. Gods can detect lies after all.
"Here's what I can say about souls. They don't come from nowhere." Was Take-Mikazuchi's answer. "Perhaps there's a chance that instead of creating new life, the boy ended up taking one from heaven…"
"That would mean Olivia came back from the dead? Is that even allowed?"
"There's no hard rule over mortal doing it." The thunder god admitted. "Mainly because the death gods like Hades or the others aren't allowed to do it. And no one thought mortals could do it. My advice at this point? Just observe to see if there are any issues."
Xxx
"Why does my Familia have to deal with this…?" Hestia grumbled to herself. Her luck was just the worst sometimes. Bell was the first stroke of luck she had in a long time and now she's dealing with complications over his powers.
While she was grumbling to herself, as she returned home, she found her Bell and Olivia chattering to each other.
But Olivia was caked in mud and the works. "What happened to you two?"
"Olivia may have made a friend with a monster." Was Bell's annoyed response.
"He was friendly!"
"He tried to bite me!"
"Well he wasn't friendly to you…" Olivia looked down at her dirtied clothes. "Aw man…these are the only clothes I had…"
The other two paused at that. They forget for a second that the little girl used to be a paper being until recently.
"Olivia has you ever bathed before?"
"In this body? No I never did."
"Well why don't I teach you?" Hestia asked, noticing the strange way the girl worded that question. "And we'll get some clothes on the way there."
Xxx
"Wow…" Olivia breathed out in shock. After buying some clothes for her, the two find themselves at a large bathhouse.
The bath she experience in Shangri-Spa was one thing, but this place was like the multiple baths from their combined into one big bath.
"It is pretty nice isn't it?" Hestia said with a smile at the girl's honest wonder at the sight. While Olivia's origins are something to be concerned about, she's finding it pretty likely that she was a benevolent soul in her past life.
"Ooh! Do the baths have magical power?"
"Other than temperature control? No."
"Oh…that's disappointing. But let's go!"
Olivia sighed in bliss as she feels the hot water overcome her body. Never mind magic power, this temperature is magical enough.
"Oh Hestia!" A tall blonde woman called out to the two. "Fancy seeing you here."
"Demeter." Hestia nodded in greeting. The plant goddess was one of her few acquaintance in Orario. "It's nice to see you here."
"Oh who is this darling?" The agriculture goddess asked when she saw the small blonde girl next to the goddess.
"My name is Olivia." The girl bowed her head. "I'm the newest member of Hestia's Familia. It's nice to meet you…ma'am"
"Oh what an utter cutie." Demeter cooed. "Hestia where did you find this little angel?"
"Oh you can thank Bell for that." Hestia admitted, careful not to say anything too confusing. She really wanted to avoid telling too much people about Olivia's origin.
"Well good on him." Demeter acknowledged. "She reminds me of Aiz when she was small"
"Ais? Who's Ais?"
"You know…the sword princess."
"Oh is she a pretty blonde girl with a cool expression and armor? Me and Bell saw her at the tower" Olivia revealed. "I think Bell likes her!"
"Tell me more…"
"Ok!" The origami girl failed to notice the mix of depression and anger appearing over the girls head.
Xxx
The albino boy couldn't help but shudder. He couldn't figure out why, but he blamed it on tiredness. Olivia was full of energy and took him everywhere. He didn't mind too much considering her curiosity was cute, but damn was it exhausting.
A number that Bell doubts his Familia would ever reach in his lifetime. With only him and Olivia he doubt it would increase all that fast. Right now his goddess was teaching the young girl how to bathe and get her some new clothes.
Olivia…she was made from the yellow paper inside the chest. There was also another piece of paper inside, one that was purple.
His grandfather said never to fold the purple one until he was strong enough to control it.
Grandpa…grandpa must've known about this. At times like this, he remembers how little he actually knows about his beloved grandfather. He knows many stories, but he never actually told him anything specific about himself.
Bell shook his head and he looked at each art tool with a renewed interest.
And now he can't help but wonder if each object isn't just a simple instrument. He glanced at each tool with a deep thought. He knew what the scissors and the colored pencils are. He soon found out the other tool are a hole-puncher, a stapler, tape, and some rubber bands.
All useful in manipulating papers in many way.
Out of all of them, the one that seemed most like a weapon is the scissors. He can't exactly fold them the same way he could with paper though.
Perhaps he should fold the streamer? No the streamer was different than the other paper. The same gut feeling that told him to fold Olivia was telling him to wrap the streamer around one of the objects.
"Sorry Goddess." He knew she would through a fit over doing this, but his curiosity was getting too strong for him. It felt like there was a primal hunger screaming in his head to do this.
So Bell took the red streamer and wrapped it around the scissors.
Nothing happened.
The albino scratched his head in confusion before he saw the colored pencil case was red. It can't be that simple…can it?
He repeated the same thing, but this time he used the colored pencil case instead.
It turns out it was that simple. Especially when the streamer started to glow red.
The streamer erupted into small confetti-sized pieces. The glowing paper was absorbed by the pencil case. As it was absorbing the confetti, the case started growing more and more in size.
Xxx
That accursed plumber! He who dare defeat Jean-Pierre!
He remembered when he was but a simple colored pencil set. One of many, who happily allowed his pencils to be used to draw on multiple art projects. The Origami Craftsman primarily used him to color in features or add some splash of art to whatever project he working on.
It was a simple and good life…until Olly himself was created.
And in turns Olly used the powers of the red streamer to create him. To increase his size to a new level and give him life. He lacked the organs, but he could feel, smell, and talk.
Not even Olly knew where the French accent came from though.
His jobs were plain and simple: Protect the Red Streamer on Overlook Tower…and maybe bully any toads in the proximity. With the powers of the Earth Vellumental, it was easy to prevent anyone from reaching the streamer.
But Mario and the princess was able to reach him. What more they managed to defeat him. And by bashing him with his own pencils no less!
Gods. He liked him better when he was a side-stroller. And that was his last thought before exploding and dying…until now.
Once again the Red Streamer has given him life, but this time he felt a different magic.
This magic…it was so much different from Olly…Olly's magic was filled with so much hate and anger. The one willing to kill many if it would bring justice to his twisted mind... But this light had curiosity, purity, and kindness…and maybe a little perversion.
And once again, Jean-Pierre Colored Pencil the twelfth lived yet again.
Xxx
Bell was gaping at the size of the case. Olivia stayed the same size so he was not expecting the case to expand as well.
"I live again!"
It was…a truly bizarre thing. Sure Bell could make out a facsimile of a mouth from the case, but it was still strange hearing a strong accented voice coming from the colored pencil case.
"Oh, ho, ho…and you are my creator? What is your name?" What type of accent was that? Especially the way the pencils creaked as the thing intoned its word.
"My name is Bell Cranel…" Bell breathed out in astonishment "Are you alive?"
"Of course I am alive." The case angrily growled. "Have you never seen a colored pencil before?"
"No!"
"Ok…" Colored Pencil acknowledged sheepishly. "I see how you would find this strange Monsieur Cranel. But I am a living Colored Pencil!"
"Are you the pencils or the case?"
"Uh…Well since I don't need my colored pencils to live, I suppose I'm the case…but it's like humans and teeth. Sure you don't need them, but they're essential to living!"
"Ok, ok." Bell agreed. Damn his curiosity. Olivia wasn't nearly as strange since she was at least intended to look like a person.
But this Colored Pencil Case…He never thought he would be seeing something incredibly bizarre before even going to the dungeon.
"So Monsieur Cranel." The voice interrupted his musing. "What is it do you require of me?"
And that left Bell stymied. Truth be told he had no clear intentions when creating Colored Pencils. However, now that he did, he answered. "Well I was hoping you can help my Familia…"
"Familia?"
"Hey Bell-WHAT THE HELL!?" Hestia and Olivia both walked in, having finished their baths, and shrieked in surprise. Olivia was dressed in a modest white dress similar to Hestia, but comparably less skin-tight.
"Oi! Just because I do not have ears doesn't mean your voices aren't painful!" Colored Pencil growled angrily, his pencil clicking angrily.
"Bell! What did I say?!" Hestia stomped her foot in annoyance.
"I'm sorry goddess!" Bell bowed his head in apology. "But I had this really good feeling about the streamer."
"Next time tell me when these 'good feeling' come up!" Hestia scolded.
"Who are these Mademoiselles?"
"My name is Hestia." The goddess sighed. Was this her life now? "I am the goddess of this Familia."
"And you are…?" The case turned to the blonde girl
"Olivia" The white-clad girl was gaping at him. That name…that appearance. Could this girl be…never mind that now.
He needed to ask a more pressing question.
"Goddess? I'd expect a goddess to have more color. Or a more shining white"
"Hey!" Hestia protested. "I got this dress for a good price! I have to considering our living conditions…"
"We live in this squalor? I'd expect a goddess to have a mansion." The Colored Pencils griped.
"Please stop." Hestia pouted "Wait what you mean by 'we'?"
"Well I have to join the familia." Colored Pencils pointed out. "After all, my creator is part of this isn't he?"
"Can you do what you did to me?" Olivia asked.
"Where would I even start?" It's not like the case had an obvious location to inscribe a Falna.
The Colored Pencil Case closed itself to reveal a large circle in the middle. One big enough for a Falna to be imprinted.
Olivia remembered when it was just a sigil of her brother's face. Olly did like putting his face wherever he could.
"That'll work." Bell deadpanned.
"I don't recall giving my permission for him to join…"
"Can he?"
"Yes…" Damn it she was curious as well. Even ignoring adding more members, she honestly was afraid of what would happen if she just let him…it…? Whatever, she was worried over what would happen if they let him go.
The case was quiet as Hestia inscribed her sigil onto the metal body. Thankfully it wasn't too hard, and the circle was a nice easy location to apply the Falna.
"Au revoir! I feel more refreshed then spring blossoms!" The pencil case exclaimed in joy as Hestia decided to scan his falna.
Jean-Pierre Colored Pencils the twelfth
Level 1
Strength: I0
Defense: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
Magic:
Mortal Morph: The User has the ability to change between their stationery form and a mortal form.
Pencil Missiles: The User is able to use unique pencils that serve as projectiles.
Scanner: The user has a built-in-scanner that can let them sense any breathing organism. It can also be used in conjunction with their pencil missiles to lock on to targets.
Skills:
Artist: The user has immense art skills.
"He has Mortal Morph too?" Hestia blinked in disbelief. "But most people don't share skills?"
"What is this Mortal Morph?"
"Oh it means you can turn into a mortal like Bell…" Olivia revealed. She forgot to add the 'and me'.
"I see…let me give this a try."
The trio eyes widened when they saw seven colored pencils come out of the case's mouth. The Colored Pencil surrounded Jean-Pierre and started to glow. In the process the case started spinning and shrinking. When the rainbow energy died down, a man was in his place.
The man was tall and had long red hair tied into a ponytail. He had square glasses and wore a red beret. He was clad in a military-esque suit. And like Olivia, he had sharp teeth.
"Sacre bleu!" The man stared himself at the mirror. "My physique! My face! I have hands! I am…human!"
"With pencil teeth apparently." He added when checking the sharpness of his teeth. Like he said, they felt as sharp as colored pencils.
"So your name is Jean-Pierre?" Hestia finally decided to ask.
"Colored Pencil the twelfth." The former colored pencils added still putting everything in place. He has no idea where this wardrobe came from, but that is no excuse not to look his best.
"Stick with Jean-Pierre" Hestia abbreviated. "So what exactly are pencil missiles?"
Jean looks down at this shirt. There his pencils were strapped to his body. Compared to the usual twelve, he now had much more color then he did before. Including an orange one…huh, he never noticed he didn't have one before. That made the 'Rainbow Roll' a terribly unfitting name now that he thought about it. He took a pencil (White) and asked. "Is there anything here you can live without?"
"Well that chair has been creaking for a long time…"
"Very good. PENCIL MISSILE!"
Everyone gaped at the previously small colored pencil expanded into a large white light. It ended up destroying the chair into multiple pieces.
"Ok!" Hestia breathed out. "Don't ever do anything like that again without my permission!"
"Je vais my goddess."
Xxx
"Oh hello Bell." Eina waved toward her advisee. "Back already?"
"Hello Eina." Bell sighed. "I'm here to introduce you to someone."
He gestured to the bespectled man behind him. He was glancing around the guild with a piercing gaze. The tower had a good color, but the guild was a bit on the drab side.
"This is Jean-Pierre." Bell introduced the former pencil case. After the incident with his missiles, Hestia advised him to get checked into the guild as soon as possible. "He's the newest member of my Familia."
Eina's eyes widened. "One day and you already have another member?" This was something she sees in big Familia's like Loki. But Hestia was a recent one-person Familia, and one that doesn't even have a specific commerce.
"I'm an acquaintance of Olivia's brother." Jean admitted, knowing full well what he said wasn't a lie. "As he currently isn't here, it would be poor taste not to watch over her."
That…makes sense she suppose. But she caught Bell giving Jean a strange look. She glanced at his stats sheets and her eyes widened in surprise. This just keeps on getting strange.
"So you are proficient in magic already? Without a Falna?"
"This world is a big place." Was Jean's answer. "It's not my fault people think that cozying up a god is the only way to learn a skill."
"Well you're not wrong in that regard." Eina admitted. She shook her head and decided to ask. "So are you two planning on going to the dungeon together?"
The red-headed man nodded. "That is correct. I have some experience that can help Bell out. But I'm curious if they are any rules?"
"Generally speaking its best not to go alone. But since you and Bell are teaming up this might be a good start." Eina said with relief. "In all honesty, anything you do in the dungeon is pretty much fair law. Though I do recommend you two prepare some more"
"Armor and weapon correct?"
"The guild will aid you in any potential weapon you would like."
"Anything ranged?" Jean-Pierre asked. He was primarily planning on using his missiles, but that would be seen as a bit strange, and he has no idea how long his reload time was in this world.
"Oh! Sure!"
"Wait!" Bell called out to the half-elf. "Can I ask you a question Eina?"
"Hmph?"
"Can you tell me about Ais Wallenstein."
So Eina explain the miraculous story of Ais Wallenstein and her many accolades and stories.
"I'd see." Jean rubbed his chin. "I can see a woman like that making waves among the community."
"I have to ask, I never heard your accent before." Eina pointed out.
"Well ho ho!" The redheaded man laugh. "Well I doubt it'd be one you familiar with mademoiselle."
"Huh, mademoiselle?"
"Ms." Jean translated.
"Oh. So you want to see the weapons?"
Xxx
"So this is the dungeon?" Jean asked in curiosity. "As an artist, I'd say it could use a lot more color."
"Well there are a lot of gods." Bell reasoned. "Maybe they decided something simple to avoid any infighting."
"It is good as an explanation as any."
Jean was carrying a quiver. His clothing barely had any armor. He protested most armor especially since his body was more durable than that of the average mortal. Beneath his coat was his pencil armada.
Bell in contrast has far more armor on him. He had two weapons on him, a small sword by his side, and a hammer.
"Why do you carry a hammer?"
"Oh…it's just a weapon I'm proficient with."
"And you're also proficient with jumping correct?"
"Yes. Why?"
"No reasons…" Jean growled. Oh good gods was he revived by someone who was this land's version of that blasted plumber?
Interrupting his musings were the growls of small, green humanoid monsters. Goblins.
"Ick…That shade of green display your disgusting nature!"
Clearly the goblin did not take kindly to that and all of them started to rush the two adventurers.
"HAH! You think you can beat Jean-Pierre Colored Pencil the twelfth?" And to Bell's surprise, he didn't take a bow out. He instead placed his hands to his glasses.
"Get back you filthy goblins!"
Jean clicked the side of his glasses. He spent most of last night experimenting with his new human body.
Learning how to use the bathroom was an experience he never wanted to repeat anytime soon.
In any case, as a Colored Pencil case, he can set missile traps to his scanned locations due to his built-in radar. Sadly, human bodies don't particularly have built-in sensors. But the glasses were a good substitute.
He has far more missiles, but they were of weaker powers then his old ones. But thankfully he can still use his big missiles as he please.
Out of his quiver, multiple pencil missiles erupted and pierced the goblins' chest. They all screeched in pain and disappeared, leaving behind some stones.
Bell gaped again at the Colored-Pencil missiles. One big missile was impressive enough, but to see multiple at the same time?
"Now come along my white-haired friend."
"Jean look out!" And the albino boy jumped.
He leapt over the beret-man's head and jumped right onto a kobold. A dog-headed monster common in the first floor.
It was something his grandfather taught him. There was a special skill that one can use with the proper practice of jumping. Practically anything that wasn't spiked on the head can be leapt on and done damaged by.
Remembering to keep a rhythm. He chanted what his grandfather told him:
"Nice! Good! Great! Excellent!" Bell cheered in his head as he jumped and flipped on the monster's head, ending the last one with a singular stomp, destroying the monster.
"How was that Jean?" Bell asked with a happy smile.
"Oh…Sacre bleu…"
"What?"
"Nothing…just bad memories…"
And the two begin their descent down the dungeon. The two were able to make an effective team. Whenever there were hoard enemies like goblins Jean's missiles prove handy. And singular monsters were easily defeated by Bell's acrobatic skills and his proficiency with his hammer.
"So these magic stones can be used to get money?" Jean asked as he scooped up a stone from a particularly large kobold.
Bell nodded. "Yup. The stronger the monster, the more valuable the stone."
"What would we have to kill to move to a different location?"
Bell chuckled. "Sorry Jean. But I don't think we're strong enough for that…"
"Is something wrong?"
The albino shook his head. "No…it's just…I'm happy to be doing so well. I mean…I know we're just starting, but I honestly think we'll make it."
"Perhaps to the bottom?" The artist asked with a smirk. He wouldn't lie, he was having fun blasting monsters to pieces. And this Bell boy made for some good company if nothing else. He was certainly less demanding then Olly.
"Isn't that too far?"
"Au contraire mon petit lapin." Jean spread his arms. "What is life without a little dream? "
Bell blinked, but he soon started to smile. Jean…Colored Pencil…whatever he was…his existence was weird. But he was helpful nonetheless. He was curious, would the other objects turn into people themselves.
"Thanks."
"Well you are the creator."
"If you were my creation, I would know so much more about you."
"An excellent point…in any case, what floor is this anyway?"
"We're on the fifth floor…Eina really didn't recommend this for rookie…"
"Really? Is this dungeon truly that tough…well I appreciate the change in color if nothing else." Jean grumbled as he scanned the new location.
"I think we can explore some more." Bell decided. "I mean, this is only the fifth floor. It's not like we'll be seeing something big this soon."
A massive roared interrupted their musings. Jean glared at Bell. "You idiot! Don't you know the walls have ears?"
"I'm sorry…"
And with that, the two found themselves face to face with a monster. It was a massive bull-like creature. It was snorting and glaring at the two of them in hatred.
"A minotaur?" Jean asked in surprise. "Are these common here?"
"No!" Bell panicked. "These are top-tier monsters! They're not supposed to come this early."
"I have one recommendation!"
"Huh?"
"RUN YOU FOOL!"
The two took off, the monster roaring in anger and launching itself at the duo.
Looking back, Jean stopped and said. "Locked On!" And a multiple glowing circles appeared in front of the Minotaur. With that, multiple colored pencils missile arrayed themselves around him.
The colored pencils surrounded Jean was much larger than expected. Bell blinked in surprise. He knew Jean could make bigger one, but he didn't think he can do it multiple times.
"PENCIL RAIN!" Said missiles served their purpose and barraged the Minotaur from above. The monster groaned in pain at the arsenal, but it shrugged it off and continued to charge the two.
"Zut Alorrs!" Jean cursed. "That blasted bull is tough!"
"You need to hit it weak-spot!"
"Oui?"
"All monsters have a weak-spot." Bell revealed. "It's generally located in the chest area."
The artist tapped the side of his glasses. His missiles generally worked best from a top-down perspective. The goblins and kobolds were rather weak so the top-down wasn't as big of an issue and the wealker missiles were aimed like a bow and arrow. Getting it from the side would require more concentration. Especially for his stronger missiles.
Unfortunately that leads to another issue.
"There's a problem."
"Huh?"
"I need to reload my missiles." Jean growled. "And all my regular projectiles are a bit on the weak side."
"How long does that take?"
"I don't know. It's not long, but it tends to be random." This world doesn't work on turn-based logic. So he has no idea exactly how long a turn should last.
The Minotaur was unhappy with being ignored and it started to roar. The two yelped and ran away again, the monster being hot on the two's tail.
"Why is he so angry?!" Jean asked angrily.
"Well don't Bulls usually dislike red?" Bell pointed out the first thought that came to his head.
"Oh déesse." Jean face-palmed. Out of all the colors he specializes in...Wait hold on a minute.
"I have an idea my comrade."
"Huh?'
"If that's a bull then I shall be a cape. And you shall be the matador!"
"What's a matador?"
"You know that bulls dislike red and yet you don't know what a…never mind. Just follow my plan!"
Xxx
Unbeknownst to the two adventurers, Ais was following the Minotaur. The monster itself escaped to the upper floor while she and her Familia were fighting, and she followed after it to both finish it off and prevent it from hurting another less-experienced adventurer.
When she finally found it, she met with a surprising sight.
"Oi Bull! I spit on your poor color choice!" A red-clad man yelled at the Matador, with him running away and leaving strange symbol on the grounds. When the bull stepped on them, multi-colored projectiles erupted from the man's back.
The missiles rained down on the beast. The bull tried to shake it off, but in the process ended up exposing his head for a clean hit.
"Now my rabbit friend!"
And a white-haired boy jumped onto the Minotaur's head.
No…he leaped over the dungeon floor and right onto the bull's head. And what he did afterward surprised the girl. He continued to hop on the monster's head. Multiple times that caused the Minotaur to keep on growling.
The Minotaur groaned in pain and fell to the ground, its chest ripe for picking.
"And now for the Coup-de-grace"
Multiple…sticks? Sticks enlarged and created a glowing ring. The bespectled man grabbed the ring and focused on the Minotaur.
"Rainbow Roll!" And Jean brought his hands down.
The Minotaur shrieked in pain as the barrage drilled into its chest. Ais actually winced at the brutality of the drilling. Eventually the minotaur couldn't take it anymore and disintegrated.
Xxx
"And with that, the deed is done!" Jean snapped his finger.
"Oh my goddess…" Bell breathed out. "That was brutal Jean…"
"Well I wasn't feeling so merciful after he spent so much time chasing us."
"Amazing…" Ais whispered, causing the two to turn to her. Bell yelped in shock while the hat-wearing man growled in annoyance.
"What were you doing?" Jean asked angrily. "Were you waiting for that accursed beast to kill us while you were gaping like an imbecile?"
Ais paused at that and immediately shook her head. "Oh no not at all. I was about to save you, but you defeated that monster by yourself"
"No thanks to you…"
"Jean!"
"Ok..Ok..,and you are?"
"My name is Ais Wallenstein, are you new adventurers?"
"I'm Bell Cranel." He whispered out, a curious red flush on his face. Jean merely raised an eyebrow at that and turned to the girl.
"I am Jean-Pierre." The men bowed. "We are members of Hestia's Familia."
"I'm not sure I heard of you."
"That's not surprising." Jean murmured casually flipping one of his pencils. Looking at it, Ais felt compelled to quell her curiosity.
"What kind of magic is that?"
"My own personal taste."
"Really? I thought only the gods can modify magic like that?"
Jean wagged a finger. "Au contraire. You should know that the gods alone don't give magic…they just make it easier."
"I see…" Ais noted. "In any case, I apologize again. If it weren't for my Familia being distracted, things could've ended disastrously."
"It's alright Ais." Bell quickly answered. "We're just glad we managed to get the experience."
"Though the fact that it's a monster that hates red so much…" Jean grumbled and shook his head. "In any case, I believe it is time we leave this blasted dungeon. It was nice to meet you."
The swordswoman bowed her head in return. "Thank you. I must get back to my Familia."
"Of course!"
As the two walked away, the artist felt compelled to comment on the albino's blatant attraction.
"Your lady friend…She is quite lovely no?"
"Yes! I mean no! I mean…she doesn't know who I am…She mainly focused on you didn't she?"
"Oh ho ho!" The artist laughed. "In any case, I believe that's enough excitement for one day no?"
Bell thinks very carefully about how to answer that. "Yes?"
"Then let's go home."
Xxx
"This day was far too exhausting…" Jean growled. He looked over himself. "And this shade of red is too dark!"
"What's your deal with color?"
"I am an artist! I take color very seriously." As the two went back into their homebase.
"Oh hello!" Olivia waved her hands, once again clad in her yellow dress. "Look like you two were busy?"
"Busy is right!" Hestia exclaimed. "What did you fight?"
"Some goblins, some kobolds, and a minotaur."
"That sounds par-for-the cour-A MINOTAUR?"
"AH!" Jean gripped his head. "Now that I actually have ears your voice is even more painful!"
"But you two are just level one!" Hestia gripped her head. " How…why? I'll have to update your falna." The goddess decided as she dragged Bell off.
"Why is she always so quick to make her and Bell alone?"
"Oh little princess…you have no idea…" Was Jean-Pierre's grumbled answer. "I might as well clean myself up…"
Xxx
'What is this?' Hestia asked in confusion.
While teaching Olivia how to man the stand, she found both Bell and Jean both busy with blood and carrying a lot of magic stones.
And now that she saw his falna, she's scratching her head. His defense and magic had a small increase, but his strength, dexterity, and agility expanded heavily. Much more then she expected from an adventurer from his first descent.
Now she can't help but wonder what Jean's stat was like.
Xxx
"Oi little princess." Jean called out after he finished his bath. He was about to go to Hestia to have his falna updated, but he wanted to see the blonde girl and confirm something.
"Jean! Er…Colored Pencils…"
"Jean will suffice." The man responded. "We both know each other…you are the same girl I met in the last life correct?"
"…Yeah…" Olivia scratched her head. "I gotta say, it's weird seeing you again…not being a jerk."
"How was I so bad?"
"You tried to kill Mario so many times! And you tormented those poor toads!"
Jean scratched his chin. Trying to kill Mario was important after all, but he was being needlessly cruel to the toads. He had to answer honestly.
"I…I'm struggling to understand this feeling…" Jean admitted. "When Olly created us, the one thing we felt the most was his complete and utter hatred for the toads."
"But Bell…I feel like a new man. Like someone who wants to help others for the sake of helping others."
"So you're a good guy now?"
"Personally? Non." The former colored-pencil shrugged. "In all honesty if Bell ever chooses to walk Olly's path, I'll be inclined to follow him."
"That won't happen!"
"I agree. I just wish to see my comrades again soon." The artist rubbed his chins. "Any idea where they are?"
"In there." Olivia pointed to the chest in the break room. Hestia decided to keep it there to make sure Bell doesn't get any crazy ideas.
"Huh?" And the Origami girl opened the chest up to reveal the objects inside. Jean adjusted his glasses as he glanced at each of his comrades, reduced to their stationery form.
"Why hasn't he revived them yet?"
"Because Bell used the streamer to create you." Olivia revealed. "That's how Olly created you right?"
"Oui."
Colored Pencil delicately looked at his former comrades. True they had limited interaction in their past life. But they were birthed by the same hand. They were comrades serving their king.
Rubber Band. The Elastic Entertainer. A diva of the highest order.
Hole Punch. The Disco Devil. The cool-headed dancer.
Tape. The Shifty Sticker. The rough-and-tough brawler of the group. Like Jean, Tape had a strange accent.
He shuddered at the memories of Scissor. The Dual-Bladed Duelist. That honorable duelist personality fooled no one. That shears was a maniac through and through…but he was an ally nonetheless.
And dear old Stapler, probably the only legion member to be universally loved by Olly and the other legion member alike.
Speaking of Olly…Jean caressed a purple paper. The same one that Olly was made out of. His king…reduced to mere unfolded paper
Soon enough, Olivia interrupted his musings with her own thoughts.
"This world is different from the paper world." Olivia admitted. "But we still have most of our powers."
"And you are like Olly?"
"I guess you can say so…I never experimented before, and I lost all my Vellumental powers…"
Jean chuckled at that "My little princess. I suppose with Olly in this state, that would make you the Origami Queen."
"But I don't have a kingdom?"
"Oh ho ho…I can see how Olly blessed you with a lot of innocence"
"Hey Jean! It's your turn now!"
"I must go. The goddess called." The artist left the room, leaving the blonde to stew in her thoughts.
Olivia looked down at her new arms. Her fingers were long and dexterous. Perfect for folding paper in any way she sees fits.
A determined expression made its way to her face as she decides to truly start practicing. This was a whole new world after all, and she had to be prepared for anything that may come.
So she started with the couch.
Needless to say, her goddess found herself with even more headaches soon enough.
Xxx
That took way longer than expected. Future chapters will probably be a lot shorter. Whenever I get to the final parts, I always have trouble articulating what I want to say. I had struggle with certain parts.
Hestia and Bell will find out the extent of Olivia and Colored Pencil's past soon enough.
I heavily exaggerated Colored Pencil's accent for humor purposes. Like I said, Juno's Origami King Project was a huge inspiration for that.
As for Colored Pencil's design, check the media page for the inspiration.
As for his big pencil stuff, they require a lot more energy. Honestly his fighting style is a mix of Panda King and Narancia from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. Panda King due to the multiple projectiles firing out of his quiver, and Narancia for his radar and missiles.
Next Chapter: Jean-Pierre Project.
So please Read and Review. I'm open to any constructive criticism.