First Commencement
Bell had awoken from his bed early in the morning which he had grown accustomed to before letting out a yawn, before feeling a weight over his body, noting that it was his Goddess Hestia who sleeping atop of him again. Bell poked her face softly to wake her up.
"Goddess, wake up. I need to go now." Bell spoke as softly as he can.
"Hrmhm… just a little more, Bell~" Hestia muttered dreamingly, unaware of the newly awoken boy.
Bell let out a sighed and slowly escaped his way out of his goddess's embrace before standing up to stretch his body, eyes briefly scanning their home before landing on a certain girl in black that was sitting on the bed, downcast and quiet, her bangs getting in her face. After stretching up, Bell walked over to her to see if she had fallen asleep while sitting beside the bed. He was about to brush her bangs aside to see her face due to his curiosity and mysterious nature she had when suddenly he felt a hand grabbed his arm as Black Rock Shooter perked her head to look at him, surprising Bell shortly before letting go of his hand instantly after realizing it was just him.
"Eep…" Bell startled from her sudden action, but quickly recovered as Rock looked away and nodding at him. Not knowing what to say, he bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you, Rock."
She nodded at him, acknowledging his apology. After that, Bell then continued.
"Have you slept well last night?" Bell asked.
She shook her head, no, because she didn't sleep last night.
"Oh, wait, have you even fallen asleep last night?" The same answer came to Bell. "I see, then. So you haven't slept. Are you okay?"
She nodded at him to reassure his worries, but that only did little to reassure his worries to her.
"Are you really sure?" Bell asked again and received the same answer as always. "Okay, I guess you do not need to sleep at all?"
She nodded again and appreciated his concern to her like – still she couldn't remember who she was, but the way this people certainly gave her warm, a strange sensation new to her.
"Just to let you know, we are going to the guild today so that we can register you as an adventurer and learn about the history of the dungeon to help you further understand what it was and how a dangerous it is." Bell said to her.
The dungeon, the only anomaly that she could consider in this new world, other than the so-called gods themselves for it was an aberration even to her own instinct and nature. She remembered how oppressive it was after she gained consciousness inside of it, she felt like she was inside of a monster's body or dominion of her kind as both exudes negativity and rejection, warning the trespassers to leave else they would suffer. It was a kind of atmosphere she was familiar of.
"Here." Bell placed a towel on the bed. "I have a few spares so you can use that."
She stared blankly at the towel.
"You need to use it after taking a bath." She stared at him. "What? Hold on, don't tell me that you don't know how to take a bathe?"
She nodded.
"You also forget how to take a bathe?" She confirmed by gesturing at him which the boy naively accepted.
"Eh? Uh, Goddess?" Bell called to his sleeping goddess.
XXX
The boy, Bell, who she had grown fond with little by little, had led her back to the guild after some preparation the humans would usually do before setting for their work, like eating, bathing and wearing casual clothings. These were the habits they do and from what she could get from her memories. Rock may have seemed familiar with these habits that humans do on a daily basis based from the fragmented memories, she was still a stranger with those things due to the fact that she hadn't experienced those habits personally during her entire existence. The only thing knew was to fight for someone…
Moreover, because of these habits that she weren't used to, Bell had woken their Goddess because of this and he requested their goddess to help her take a bath to which the Goddess found ridiculous, yet in the end, she agreed. It was confusing at the first time, but she learned immediately and felt actually good a little after taking a bath. It seemed that she had to consider many common things that were required to be done in daily basis, and this was the start.
Later, their Goddess had gone to come to her work which added to her confusion. From what little she could remember, Gods should be praised and worshipped by mortals, and along with those deeds was servitude, probably including her as they believed to hold high authority amongst the mortal kind. But that belief was thrown simply off after witnessing the state of their goddess. In addition, there were gods, meaning that they were more of them here in the strange world. And Hestia, a name of a god that she doesn't personally know was somehow familiar to her. Not from the bonds or any deep connection related to that kind of matter, but more of a common knowledge that she somehow knew for some reason. She didn't remember where she actually learned of that name so she blamed her vague memory solely because of it.
She also heard their Goddess mentioned a god named Hephaestus, another familiar name from her memories, and told them that she will need to talk some important matters regarding about their familia. And apparently, she was a woman, but according to her memory, she was a man. Though, the only thing they had in common they were both god/goddess of smith, so that's better, at least, not that it was important after all. Those were just mere curiosity she had.
"Very lively here, isn't it?" Bell suddenly spoke. "Many people come to this place to seek career and fortune. As you can see, there are a lot of races living here, making Orario the most diverse city in the world."
She swallowed those details firmly as she remained her gaze still on their path for future reference.
"I'm just really new here like you, so I'm not that familiar with this place yet, especially with Daedalus Street, as I have heard rumors that you can get lost in that place if you're not that familiar about it." Bell chuckled wryly at her. "That's what the folks here told me. Do you see that tower over there? It's called the Tower of Babel and it is owned by the Guild. It's where the dungeon can be located and the tower itself serves many purposes. The first 20 floors are filled with Familia businesses, facilities and money exchanges. It's where you can also buy some equipment depending on your needs."
Bell explained to Rock which she seemed to gladly accept as he saw her casually nod at him. Although he tried getting close to Rock by telling some important information while also sharing his personal experience, the girl still remained her silence, making their relationship a bit awkward.
'I wonder if she is mute or not.' Bell had thought as they continue on their path while mildly noting the stares of the people around them. 'Guess she can really attract people in some way.'
Out of nowhere, someone called out to them, more specifically to him.
"Uh, hello, you dropped this, sir." The girl revealed an almost purple crystal-like translucent stone – a magic stone. An item used to trade valis at the guild.
"Huh, really?" Bell stared in confusion as he looked around him. "A magic stone? I thought I traded them yesterday…"
Rock turned to see who it was. The girl had a bluish gray hair tied in buns. She wore a white blouse and green knee-length skirt under slightly long half apron around her waist.
The girl nodded and gave the magic stone to Bell.
"Thank you so much!" Bell bowed at the smiling girl, while Rock saw the girl briefly landing her sight at her before returning to Bell again.
"No, please don't mention it." Came her reply. "Have you eaten a breakfast?"
"I am already- " Bell's stomach suddenly growled, causing the girl to chuckle gently.
"Ufufu, you must be hungry." The girl said placing a finger over her mouth.
"Yeah…" Bell shied away.
"If you don't mind, can you wait for a moment?" The girl then took something on a building, a basket containing food and offered it to him. "Since our restaurant isn't open yet, take this instead."
"R-really? Is it okay?" The girl nodded happily to him.
"Thank you!" Bell took the basket before thanking her again. While doing so, he noticed something. "Is this your pub?"
"Yes, I am working, but as you see, it's currently close." The girl told him. "You can come tonight if you want and bring your… friend here."
"I and Rock will surely do, but I don't know if we can tonight. We have lots of things to do right now." Bell explained their situation.
"That's alright, but I still hope you come tonight." The girl still wished they do.
"We will try, I'm Bell Cranel, by the way, and this is Rock." He introduced both of them.
The girl placed her hands over her hips as she stared at the girl named Rock with slight interest.
"Is she your girlfriend?" This had caused Bell's face to heat up.
"Uh, no. We're just in the same familia, that's all." Bell hastily clarified, waving his hand to dismiss the assumption.
"I was just joking." The girl chuckled. "I'm Syr Flover. Nice meeting you Bell and Rock."
"Nice meeting you, too." While that was Bell's reply, Rock, on the other hand, simply nodded at her. "Sorry, Rock doesn't really talk at all."
"Oh, I understand." The girl nodded. "Well, I'm looking forward for you tonight, Bell."
"Same, see you later, Syr!" Bell and Rock walked on and continued to the guild.
XXX
The two had finally reached the guild and saw that the guild was rather busier today than usual. Rock observed the adventurers going in and out of the guild and as far as she could say, they were truly diverse after seeing their various armors and equipment. She also noted those people with sharp ears that were commonly wielding wooden staffs and wands wearing little to no armor at all. This was the opposite for the little, old bearded men and little women that she also saw at the same time and she could swear that they didn't like each other the way their eyes met. But in some rare occasions, she can see that some were not like them as she saw and man with pointy ears and a little, bearded man were hanging along just fine. With this, she also realized that they were not humans, despite having a close resemblance. There were also those people with additional animal appendages like she saw yesterday. Therefore, she concluded that, indeed, Orario was a well diverse city according to Bell.
Same as always, like people in the city; Rock had been regarded by odd stares from some adventurers, a little matter that she doesn't give care at all as she was still in her own important thoughts.
While Rock was in her own thought, Bell tried to look over and found Eina just by the receptionist desk, doing her paper works as usual.
"Miss, Eina!" Bell waved at the half elf.
"Good morning, Bell. I see that you are here to register her I assume." Eina adjusted her glass as she placed her paperwork down. "Not a bad start for familia that was fairly new."
"Of course, we've just been here for two weeks, so it's a great gain for us!" Bell said, agreeing to what Eina had just said.
"Hmm…" Eina nodded in amusement. "Let us start now, shall we? Come and follow me so I could give your new member a short orientation while she is filling out the form."
Bell and Rock then followed Eina to give them a private session about things the adventurers needed to do in adventuring. Bell sat on a chair close to Rock while Eina was preparing the form and set it forth to the girl. Eina then started the small session, discussing about the dungeon and how it always spawned monster. The history of the aforementioned, the descension of the gods, the Tower of Babel and so on, all which had piqued Rock's interest as Bell saw her leaned forward to Eina while she was explaining those information to her. It was a rare sight for Bell to see, truly.
Rock hadn't showed up any reactions at all since her arrival here and Bell had tried countless time to see what interested her. Now, seeing her like this had caused Bell to smile at her. It's a very little thing; it was truly unusual for him to see Rock reacted like this, she was like a child.
Rock began signing up the form after the brief session Eina had provided to her. During the filling of Rock's form, Bell had noticed that instead of writing her name, Black Rock Shooter, she had written another name, making Bell to wonder and raise an eyebrow.
"Mato Kuroi." Eina spoke the name, causing Bell to think if she really chose it or inadvertently wrote it as he knew it wasn't her name.
"Uh, Rock, are you sure it's the name you want to put on the form?" Rock tilted her head, realizing that she put the name of that person, but she still couldn't remember who she was or what she looked like.
"So it wasn't her name?" Eina muttered, eyes still fixed on the paper. "Well, if you want, you can add the name Rock to her form."
"Depends on her." Bell pointed out. Rock then requested for the paper back to her and put the name in the middle of Mato and Kuroi. She passed it back to Eina who collected the paper and read the form before nodding in satisfaction.
"That is all. Is there anything else you want to ask?" She asked.
Bell looked at Rock who shook her head. While they were on their way, Eina suddenly spoke again.
"Bell, I am sorry that I haven't found a person who could help Miss Rock with her memories yet." She apologized to Bell.
"No worries, Miss Eina. I don't think Rock's that impatient. We already know what her real name is, that's a start at least." Rock agreed to Bell's reply to Eina. "We'll be on our way. Bye, Miss Eina!"
"Bye, Bell!" Eina shortly waved at them as they exited the room.
As they walked into the hallway of the Guild, many adventurers regarded them again with odd stares before resuming to their businesses in the guild. Bell had thought a thing about Rock's peculiar attraction amongst the crowd. Was she really that special or something? He got it, Rock's unusual appearance caught people's interest, from her clothing up to her doll-like face, not even including the her strange outfit, which he admitted, suited her well.
XXX
The duo then reached dungeon and stopped for a moment to check their equipment, well, only Bell was checking the equipment since Rock doesn't have one. She, meanwhile, was focused on the entrance of the Dungeon and to the large hole in the middle, a spiraling stares leading down to the labyrinth, as if she was preparing a creature to suddenly show up and attack them.
"I'm ready!" Bell announced as he prepared his self and looked at the stern visage of Rock. "Let's go, Rock!"
However, Rock didn't move from her position as she regarded Bell with a questioning stare which the boy also regarded as well, and saw her shifting her gaze to the basket that he was carrying right now.
"Are you hungry?" Bell asked, confused, but she shook her head, then pointed at him. "Me? Oh yeah, I haven't taken a breakfast yet, maybe I will take later. Come on."
She nodded and both of them head together as a team. Bell couldn't believe that he had a team of his own now to dive in the Dungeon. While on their way down into the floors, Bell and Rock had encountered a small horde of Goblins and Kobolds on their way to the third floor, totaling in almost above thirty monsters. Bell and Rock stopped in their tracks as they prepare themselves. Bell was surprised at the amount of monster they will need to kill in their first run as a team. Looking at Rock, Bell saw that she didn't sway nor she removed her eyes on them.
The boy quickly drew his knife; Rock materialized her weapons in both of her hands, the Black Blade, resembling the appearance of the Far Eastern weapon, to her right, and the Rock Cannon, a strange self-assembling tubular weapon donned with blue lightings to her left that Bell had never seen before. And Gods know how many part it had. It was so advanced and complex.
"So, this is one of your skills? It's really amazing!" Bell exclaimed upon seeing her ability, but Rock neither replied nor reacted.
She was only focused on the creatures in front of them. Raising the Rock Cannon at the creatures who then charged at them after spawning from the Dungeon floor and walls, she pressed the trigger-
"Uh oh…" Bell uttered as he watched the weapon lighting up.
-Click!-
Her cannon immediately ejected a black projectile covered in blue energy from its barrel faster than a fired arrow.
-Boom!-
Bell jolted in surprise because of how loud it was and forced to cover his ears as Rock began laying waste, filling the entire floor with small explosions and loud, obnoxious noise and engulfing the whole floor in terror, causing some of the adventurers, that were even not so close to them, to flee in fear. Bell saw some of the adventurers hurriedly scurrying away from them in panic. Then he saw how brutal the weapon Rock had used to tear the monsters apart.
-Boom!-
A poor kobold that got in her way was torn in half after its upper body was blasted by her weapon. Several pieces of the body went flying.
-Boom!-
A group of goblins that was about to attack her were blasted away and into pieces before they even got close.
-Boom!-
Rock fired in the middle of their ranks, scattering them everywhere. The monsters that were closest to the explosion radius were either crippled because of their limbs being torn off or simply died. Those monsters that were not that close in the explosion radius had simply been blown away from the shockwave. Though they had survived that shot, the shockwave from the explosion had caused them to be disoriented while also being staggered at the same time.
"That was so loud!" Bell screamed, still in flabbergasted state after witnessing Rock's weapon shredded the horde.
Bell then saw Rock next charged at the disoriented horde and began slicing and bludgeoning them with her blade and cannon. He quickly recovered from the deafening sound and joined Rock in her slaughter and cut his way through before they can attack them back again, not giving them any chances.
He stabbed a Kobold down at the muzzle, piercing through its head. Quickly twirling out of instinct, Bell swung his knife to his back with great precision and cut open the Goblin's neck. Two more Goblins found themselves in a bleeding state after the boy gave them few slashes that struck their vital parts, mainly in the head and neck. The same treatment was also received by the Kobolds.
Bell had stopped when he saw that no monsters were standing anymore. He huffed heavily after rushing like that. All of those actions he did had come down crashing into him, his body hunched then slumped down to floor, knife still in hand and eyes still scanning their surroundings. However, instead of feeling heavy or tired, he felt his body was getting lighter the more he pushed his limit. Sure, they may be weaker monsters, but so was he as a beginner adventurer and barely just started adventuring. As he caught for his breath, Bell stared up.
He saw a hand reaching out to him and it was belonged to Black Rock Shooter who was giving him an apologetic look in spite of that bored face she always retained regardless of the situation. Bell grabbed it to pull himself as Rock helped him to stand. As he did so, he had wondered why he just rushed that fast after witnessing one of Rock's deadly weapons and what she had done after. For him, it was brutal as Rock's attack not only blown the monsters into pieces, she cut and bashed through them mercilessly without a care as if she was already used to this. An act that both amazed him and at the same time terrified, but he did admire her strength and grace from the way she fought, utilizing both weapons and parts of her body, most specifically her legs. It might be the reason, highly likely.
Like Ais Wallenstein, Rock was strong unlike him. Normally people would feel envious about it, him, however, it was the opposite. He wanted to be like them, he wanted to stand side by side with them, and he desired to be strong as them. As determination filled his heart, his mind, however, was filled with questions. He knew that Rock had an incredible strength after seeing her holding the Minotaur's fist with her own bare hands! And she wasn't even blessed by a Falna at the time so how?
Her Goddess had told him about this, that it was normal, like the Amazons having greater strength compare to humans for example. Either that or the other skill that Rock also had maybe the reason - The Otherself skill (?), an enigmatic skill. Yes, it was probably likely the reason. After their dungeon diving, maybe he can talk with his Goddess about that skill as he doubted Rock would ever explain that skill to him, she can't even talk. Perhaps he can ask her to write instead about it later.
"Oi, you there, rabbit!" Bell turned around to see an old adventurer, a veteran judging by the way he carried himself in, probably in his thirties, along with his two party members that were probably in their twenties, a male chienthrope and a female human like him. "Is that girl your familia member?"
"Yes?" Bell confirmed.
"Then can you tell your girlfriend to chill down? She has almost blown this place into pieces, for good sake! Keep it down! Is she even a level 1? I swear, she will be the death us!" The man chided to Bell, who nodded profusely at the group, before leaving them.
"O-of course! We're sorry! And she is not my girlfriend!" He apologized to them before looking at Rock who simply tilted her head in confusion. "Uh, Rock, can you not use that 'thing' in your left arm? It's actually scaring many adventurers even me. I feel like I'm going to die from heart attack rather than from the monster's attack."
Rock nodded and dematerialized the weapon as Bell saw the object become transparent and slowly disappeared from existence. It was now, however, replaced by a smaller black one with a handle colored in black and blue. The energy, he presumed, it had inside was glowing, just like her other weapon. The revolving part was also glowing in blue where it likely held its ammo. It was like looking at the exact alternate version of her previous weapon. The weapon's name was Seven Shot, a moderately large hand gun.
"A smaller one?" Rock nodded then cocked it. "That's better. We're still in the upper floors anyway, so no need going all out like that. Most of the enemies here a are just fodders, but even they are just fodders, they can still be dangerous to unwary adventurers, especially if they managed to outnumber them, gaining the upper hand."
Rock briefly nodded, taking the advice thoroughly. She knew how dangerous this place was and she will not let her guard down in for a second even if they were simple fodders to her.
"Alright, let's continue to the fourth floor and by the fifth floor's entrance, that's the plan for today." Bell then saw Rock shook her head, disagreeing with him. "Why? You're strong, Rock! I doubt that any monster here would be close to your caliber!" Did he understand that right? Was it what she meant? No, Rock was strong and he seriously doubted that she would suddenly back out – unless…
"Do you want us to dive deeper?!" Rock nodded. "But we're still Level 1!"
Rock stabbed the sword on the ground before placing a hand over his shoulder, a gesture of reassurance.
"Miss Eina said that it still dangerous for beginners like us. I guess it is okay if it's you. I mean you are strong after all!" Bell complimented to the girl in Black. "But first, see those crystals? Those are magic stones; we need them to earn valis by trading them in the guild. They are also quite fragile, so avoid using your other weapon and only use it against powerful monsters like the ones in the deeper floors once we able to reach them. Let us collect them before continuing."
Rock nodded again and started picking up the magic crystals from the corpses and ground before continuing to head deeper in the dungeon. While trying to lead Rock, Bell had pondered about what had happened earlier. He remembered her writing someone else's name instead of her real name: Mato Kuroi – a name she wrote on the form. This had made him curious behind her mysterious persona after sensing that the name had a substantial part of Rock's full identity. It could be the key to help her remember her memories. Yes, it was plausible and later he would talk with his Goddess about this so dive now, pry later.
XXX
On a stall in the middle of the busy street, a time when the sun was high above the city of Orario, a certain Goddess was working hard each day for the two children of her familia. Hestia was humming happily while serving customers with the most famous food amongst people regardless of the race or age. All people share the same opinions and thoughts about the special, crushed, fried potatoes, Jagamaru-kun.
"Here is your order, sir!" Hestia happily passed the food the food to the man as he paid her with valis and walked after that.
She leaned over her desk and prompted her arms to support her head as she continued to hum while waving her head side to side. The business was booming today it seemed, people kept coming in her stall to buy fried potatoes. If this continued, she could take home more if the owner was pleased, and feed both of her children, or more like feed her one child as the other doesn't appear to eat all. Rock, the mysterious addition to their familia – never did she ever saw her react at all even after this morning earlier. She knew that they were still not that familiar at each other at all, but doesn't mean she to need to act like that to them, or in general. That strange child in particular worried her and they had only known each other for two days, so she can't expect her to be open with them, but that doesn't mean she should be like that.
Rock, for all the beauty and uniqueness she had, acted like a newly birthed chick that had only witnessed the world for the first time, yet doesn't completely act like one, only barely. She felt like she was more of a doll given a life, uncaring and emotionless. However, despite the demeanor of hers, Rock tended to be curious at a time, regarding things with her scrutinizing stare even seldom tilted her head to think and wonder. For her, Rock felt like she was not a human at all.
Then she remembered that Rock had a skill that had an odd description which probably referred to what she was. The Other Self – a skill that allowed Rock to have an early passive boost, but the magnitude of its effect was still a mystery, at least to her. She knew there were some passive boost skills, but what she wanted to know was the extent of it. And in addition, the parchment barely explained what the Skill was, however, it was implied that these Otherselves, yes, as in not in singular, suggesting that they were more of them in the Otherworld (?), that they were granted by high physical capabilities. She doesn't know if the description was being literal or not. If it turned out that it was literal, then she had no choice, but to ask Rock because there was no way she could know what these Otherselves was nor this Otherworld the parchment speaking about.
She wanted to ask the child and know the truth, but that child doesn't speak at all, implying the possibility that she was mute so she can't use the ability that all gods share in common – knowing the truth. As useful as it was, the ability was useless to her – unless she made her write of course, but then that would be hard. It would work, but, indeed, hard. Gestures may also help in determining if she was lying or not unless refused to respond.
"I also need to meet Hephaestus to talk about the Falna, but she was busy at the moment." She reminded to herself because, boy oh boy, the last thing she doesn't want in her familia was attracting the attentions of persistent gods. She doesn't want that to happen as they were still starting. First was Rock then suddenly Bell had become too, though she had admitted to herself that it was good to have two unique children in her familia. She couldn't be more proud than that.
Sighing deeply while eyes closed, Hestia abruptly heard a loud metallic clank together with the sound of squelching soil being stabbed by something. Her eyes met a person wearing a brown robe with tattered ends, reaching down below her knees, allowing her to see the red metals – plating covering her legs and metallic boots with the heels shaped in crescent. Spike can be also seen protruding from each of her knee guards. Hestia couldn't distinguish who or what this person was except for the red curved horns that reminded her of Cows, a demi-human race. However, her horns were longer and curved compare to the Cows, not to mention its color which added to the questioning factor. Her face was obscured by the hood, only showing the lower part of her face, the mouth. Hestia glanced lower to the side and saw that this person somehow had crimson skeletal fingers or claws that were partially showing every time the robe fluttered. Yep, the person was definitely not a Cow.
"Hello, do you like to order?" Hestia queried, but the robed person didn't reply as they approached her closer. She felt a little pang of trepidation as she unconsciously stepped back from the stall. "D-don't come closer or else I will scream!"
The person didn't heed her warning as they continued, stopping and placing a finger or claw over her stall. They began scraping over the desk, and showed it to the Goddess what it was after they retreated their claws to give her a good view. It was a familiar shape that she knew – the shape of a celestial object. She was confused at first, but quickly realized who they were implying to.
"You know about my child?" The robed person nodded. "H-how… wait, how should I know I can trust you?"
The robed person then moved a hand over to their face and tipped the hood slightly, showing the Goddess what was inside; causing Hestia to open her eyes wide in surprise.
"You are just like her…" She muttered which the person nodded in confirmation. "So what if you're like her? I will not risk my child's life over to some stranger."
They understood her; it was natural a reaction after all.
"But, I will consider it, nonetheless." Hestia said to the stranger unsurely. This made the stranger smile a bit and she saw this. The smile was… simple, warm and welcoming, a sensation, she was familiar with. There were no deceit and malice underneath. She calmed after that. "I will be frank, you really look scary, but I feel like you are a kind person. Sorry, for being rude."
No, it was natural. They would've worried over if this goddess before her was not wary at all.
"So, can you wait for me? I have a job to finish today." The robbed person nodded and started to look for a bench. While the stranger left Hestia, the goddess had thought if it was alright to lead the stranger to Rock. Though the stranger had scared her, they showed her that their intention was good and genuine. But, that did not stop her doubts, however. "I wish I am doing the right thing."
XXX
Hestia's two children had returned to the surface carrying magic stones that they had acquired during the long course of their diving in the dungeon. For some reason, the monster labyrinth had been spawning large quantity of monsters every time they enter a spawning area. The small monster hordes, or parties, which Bell had assumed, was only composed of Goblins and Kobolds at the upper floor, but when they reached lower than the fourth floor, the party had been replaced in a form of lizard monsters, then frog shooters and War shadows, especially War shadows whose toughness cannot be underestimated by a Level 1 adventurer didn't stand a chance, on the sixth floor that Bell had never reached before and down to the ninetieth floor.
Luckily, the occurrence of monster parties that can be considered a horde due to their large number, which seemed the dungeon solely focused on them, had decreased the deeper they venture while the monster were getting stronger.
As the monsters they had faced were getting stronger so does Bell's effort to try and fight side by side with Rock who was effortlessly plowing her way without care at all, even plunging deep into their ranks. The monsters were relentless and savage so does she. They were created to kill; she was also the same, except she killed for a reason.
She and the monsters were mutually common despite the clear differences in the side and appearance they had, they were vicious in their own way. And Bell could tell that she was trying to hold back all this time after he told her that she was scaring him, her weapon specifically. Her new weapon , a smaller range bow-type weapon, Seven Shot, though vastly weaker than her previous range weapon, had still did not made him comfortable while fighting because, good gracious, it was just as loud as her former weapon in spite the clear difference of the fire power it had. However, that small weapon cannot be underestimated as he saw how it was capable of boring seven holes in a monster's body per fire, making it brutally effective and effectively brutal against the monsters… and of course scaring adventurers …
Adding also the fact that Rock was also a fast learner and an efficient person, who frequently aims at the weak points of the monsters every time she used the range weapon, had made Bell's job in leading and protecting her easy, though he think that the latter was unnecessary at all it seemed.
The two had made their way into the busy streets of Orario. They had exchanged the magic stones they had collected in the guild for valis after their dungeon diving.
"That's a total of 14000 valis." Said the trader who collected the magic stones on her counter.
"We have made a lot today!" Bell exclaimed while Rock gave a curt nod as they took the small sacks together containing large amount valis. "We would have reached 15000 valis if, you know, you didn't accidentally destroy them. Not that I blame you though, you are still learning, but that little bow thing is still powerful. And besides, we earned a lot because of you anyway. You make most of the kills! You are really incredible, Rock!"
The boy cheered for her which she nodded in response.
The monsters, even if they had dived deeper, were still fodders to her. Her Seven Shot easily pierced through their flesh without a problem at all, even piercing and killing several monsters behind before completely stopping the projectiles. Perhaps she should consider her sword only instead in the future as the monsters were proven to be easy to deal with, way too easy and she had dealt with them without much effort all. Moreover, they were really slow too. Black Blade would be enough.
"I've been thinking…" Bell suddenly spoke. "How about we visit Syr's work place before going home? We have earned a lot of valis so maybe we can eat there, we have promised to Syr after all. I have been also thinking of bringing some for our Goddess, she will be glad if we take home some foods for her after our dinner. Are you in, Rock?"
Rock nodded at him. It's already late in the afternoon anyway, almost night time.
"Let's go to the pub then! But first, we need to change at least." Bell reminded, Rock. "Though, you still look clean, Rock."
Bell then led her to Syr's current workplace, the pub, where the wondrous things and scenery can only be seen at night, showing what nightlife in Orario was like.
XXX
The two went to the pub that was mentioned by Syr, the Hostess of Fertility that was filled with people as they heard the lively chattering and some laughter inside. Both entered and quickly flooded by the smell foods that the pub was currently serving in. There was a rather bulky woman behind the counter, people with cat ears that were serving the customers. They were wearing what looked like a green maid dress with white apron, black leggings, white headband, an orange bow under the collar and boots. Along with them was a woman with green hair and sharps ears and two humans one of which they had known and familiar with already - Syr Flover, which Rock had quickly taken note after she saw her looking at them, specifically at Bell.
"Bell!" The silver-haired girl called out to him. "And Rock!" …and to her.
"Here we are, Syr!." He said with a smile. "I also brought Rock along with me."
"Sure, sure. I need two seatings please!" She announced at the pub which confused Bell a bit then simply shrugged off the thought.
"Here, have a seat!" Offered Syr.
"Thanks you!"
He and Rock then sat on the table reserved for the two of them, at the counter. Rock was near at the corner; behind her was a wall while Bell was on her left. Trying to blend in and mellow his nervousness, he turned at Rock who seemed to not mind the attention that Bell had been sensing after the announcement about them in the entire pub.
"So, a-are you nervous?" He stuttered a bit, mouth twitching.
Rock shook her head then looked over to counter and into the tall bulky woman.
"So, you're Syr's guest, eh? Haha, both of ya got a cute face fer an adventurer, especially her." The tall woman pointed at Rock. "Are ya two lovers?"
"Wha-what?" Bell stuttered in surprise, blushing profusely while Syr slightly puffed her cheeks from the question. "W-we're not! She's just my familia member, that's all!"
"Really? You sound so suspicious." The woman teased, leaning at them. "Not gonna lie, yer friend has a face of a doll, pale, cute, petite - just look at her. Who wouldn't even fall for her?"
"Mama Mia, please, I think Bell have had enough." Syr, who was now behind them, told her.
"'Right, alright. Just give us a holler if you need something! I hear you're quite the glutton! I'll keep the food comin' so all you need to do is keep on ordering!" The woman told Bell, who stared dumbfounded as she handed both of them a two wooden glasses.
"Huh?!" He then looked at Syr.
"Tehe~" She played, innocently.
"Don't just tehe me!"
"Fufu, it was a mere joke at all." Syr chuckled softly, covering her lower face with her tray.
Bell simply groaned as he looked at the menu, causing his eyes to twitch from the prices of their food.
"Okay, I'm going with pasta, what about you, Rock?" Rock then looked at the menu Bell had given to her, but she shook her head. "Rock, are you sure don't need to eat? Remember, you haven't eaten at all! Just give it a try and maybe, you will like it."
That wasn't a bad idea. Since after arriving in this world, she hadn't tried anything this world had to offer, even simple things like food. Nodding her head, she pointed at the food, the exact food which Bell had also ordered.
"You don't want something else?" Rock nodded her head. "Alright, two pastas, please?"
"Would you like some ale?" Syr offered.
"No, I'm still underage and I don't know if Rock would want it too." Rock agreed to him. "How about milk as substitute beverage, can we order two?"
Their orders were handed to them after a few minutes. Bell began eating his food when and saw Rock barely touching her own food, merely moving it with forks, unsure what to do. Then he saw her looking at him, seemed to try and mimic what he was doing.
"Uh, Rock, do you know how to eat?" Honestly, only vague memories only served as a reference to her and even though she could take glimpse of some scene, it was still not helping either. So, she shook her head at the boy. She tried and tried, but she always failed miserably. Bell tried to teach her how. Rock seemed to learn quickly, however, she was still failing because of her poor handling of the fork.
"Your friend, Rock, is really an odd fellow, Bell." Syr, who had pleaded with the owner of the pub to take a sit with the boy, noted at the strange girl. "Does she really don't know how to eat?"
"I guess so? I've never seen her eat before or probably because of her memory problems?" Syr shook her head at this, disapproving at his assumption.
"That's not how memory works as far as I know, Bell."
"I don't really know, Rock is really strange." Bell then finished his food and gulped his drink before helping Rock. He took Rock's fork to scrape down the pasta slowly and moved it over her mouth, as if he was feeding a baby. "Next, chew it slowly."
Rock slowly moved her mouth up and down until suddenly she was flooded by unknown sensation, it was familiar yet she can't describe it. It was, sweet yet salty at the same time. The texture of the pasta was smooth and soft. Rock perked her head and asked Bell for more. Bell, however, continued feeding, Rock, innocently, not realizing his deed was earning several stares.
"My, Bell, I never you knew you were this sweet and caring." Syr teased which fell deaf from the boy's innocence.
"What do you mean?" She simply pointed at them and that made Bell realized what he was doing. "This doesn't mean anything! I'm just helping her!"
"Yeah, sure, why not?" Mia said, grinning at them. "You two really like a sweet bunch. Looks like Syr will have a rival now, ain't that right?"
"W-what do you mean, Mama Mia? T-they were just friends!" Syr rebutted, covering her blushing face with her hands.
A sudden silence had dropped into the pub as all of the customers stopped in chattering and gasped in awe at the sight of the Loki Familia entering the pub. Murmurs filled the air as the one of the famous and powerful familia had visited the pub to dine in. They were seemed to be led by a petite child, with orange hair tied in a bun, wearing blue and black fit outfit, showing off her stomach and lower back. Next to her was a pair of twin tanned girls, amazons, wearing only bikinis. They were followed more by a green-haired elf, a silver-haired wolf with tattoos, and another elf, but with yellow hair and lastly, the Sword Princess herself, Ais Wallenstein.
This had caused murmurs amongst the customers to spark while Bell could only do was to stare in awe. Rock was the only exception as she was busy slowly drinking her milk as carefully as she can after she was finished with her food.
"Bell?" Syr had wondered while catching glimpse of his friend who seemed to be the only person in the pub to not bat an eye.
'What strange girl…' Syr had thought.
Even after someone had mentioned the title the Sword Princess, the girl had never bothered.
"Loki Familia are regular customers here." Syr informed to Bell. "They're our loyal customers. Their goddess, Goddess Loki, loves this pub."
Bell didn't react, but he did listen to Syr's and swallowed the information. He doesn't know what to do because of just how shock he was while Rock suddenly turned on them before turning again a little bit to see who Bell was looking at. Normally, most people would react after seeing one of the strongest Familia in Orario, yet, to her, it was nothing, but mere curiosity at all.
XXX
The two had stayed and waited. Rock doesn't know why they need to stay and wait seeing that they were already finished eating, but the boy had requested for them to stay for a bit longer. This had mildly confused her.
As the conversation of the famous familia continued, their subject suddenly shifted to another one.
"Yeah, Ais! Tell us that one story!"
"The one story?"
"You know the one! About those Minotaurs that got away! Remember, you finished off the last one on the lower fifth! You know: tomato boy!" The wolf guy started.
Bell froze in his seat and Rock had noticed this as she continued to stare at them.
"Are you talking about the group of Minotaurs that attacked us on the lower seventeenth floor, and they ran away when we fought back?" The other inquired.
"Yeah, exactly, they miraculously escaped to upper flower, so we had to chase them up there and guess who they run into? Some weak little rookie! I even remember that you mentioned that he also dragged a girl along with him!" He added as suddenly remembered.
"Look, Bete's ego is flaring up again." Tiona said with a sigh. "I wonder when he will become a humble puppy."
"What was that you damn Amazon?"
"It sounds interesting, Ais, didn't you mention that they held the Minotaur on their own?" Lefiya began.
"Yes, the two had seemed to hold the Minotaur well before my arrival. The girl beside him didn't show any fear at all…" Ais then paused for a moment. "Then I sense an extraordinary aura of which I haven't seen before."
"Whatcha' mean, Aisu?" Their Goddess Loki, the small petite woman had leaned forward, prompting her head. "What did you saw?"
"I can't explain it. The girl simply stared at the Minotaur- it was like I am seeing… another me?"
"That is quite perceptive of you, Ais." Riveria remarked. "However, let us not all forget that it is our fault that those Minotaurs had escaped. That was so careless of us."
"What, why shouldn't we treat trash as trash? He screamed and run away, I bet the girl also did the same! They were all scared! Especially the tomato boy, he was like a cornered rabbit. Hahahaha!" The wolf guy continued to laugh at. "What's worse is that after being saved, the brat screamed and ran away. Our royal princess got dumped by a guy she just saved!
"Pfff, I'm, sorry Aiz, but I can't hold myself back!" The Amazon said, receiving an elbow from her elder sister.
"It's still not good to laugh at it, Tiona." Her sister reminded her. "You need to stop already, Bete."
"Nah…" Her words fell deaf to the wolf's ears. "But, really it was so pathetic, shits like that pissed me off, you know!"
While Bete continued to his unrelenting insults at them, Rock had placed a hand on Bell's shoulder to comfort him as he had returned from his stupor while Syr also did the same.
"Bell?" Syr asked worriedly. Taking a glance to his other familia member, she saw Rock was simply staring at them, as if she was giving the wolf a glare. She couldn't tell because of how neutral her face was, not even a single glimpse of emotion can be seen on her.
"Rock?" Bell had wondered as Rock stood from her seat and began to march to them. Then, the sudden realization had struck him. "Rock!"
She was close to the wolf guy when a dark figure, a woman, almost had the same outfit as Rock, had emerged out of nowhere after blinking for a moment. Bell and Syr wondered where the woman had come from when…
-Crunch-
All of them yelped from the sickening sound of bones being broken and crushed echoed through the building.
Rock's eyes had widened a bit after realizing who had stopped her.
"What the hell?!" The wolf exclaimed in surprise before looking behind his back and saw two females with almost the same identical clothing, glaring at each other, or more like simply looking at each because of how unexpressive their faces were, blue and red eyes were contradicting at each other.
All attentions were at the newcomer. It was a woman with black hair fading to red and long curved horns that were also red, wearing a black jacket, similar to the girl with blue eyes, but shorter. White outlines running along her sleeves and had two stars on them. A red belt was attached along with two white lines running above it, and the white belt was a hexagon-shaped buck. She had a pair of red eyes with white concentric patterns like the other girl in black too. Her legs were covered with red metallic plates with spike protruding on both knee guards even the boots that was shaped in a crescent. She also had a pair of skeletal hands that had slightly crept some people due to its look.
He flinched after the crimson girl with demonic-like appearance regarded him with a stare.
'What was that?!' Bete had thought as his instinct suddenly rang for a moment there.
"This just won't do." The woman said eerily, metallic claws still holding both hands. "If you continue further, I will have no choice but to break your left."
"Rock!" Bell cried out, but was unable to come near them due to the unknown pressure both were exuding out.
"Hey, hey! What's with the ruckus here in my business, eh?" Mama Mia had decided to join in.
"My pardons. I am only trying to stop her." She tried to apologize with the best as she can. "This is just how I discipline her."
"Does that even include breaking one of her hands?" Mama Mia didn't bought and fully.
"More or less, it's only a simple annoyance to her so worry not, especially, you, boy." She assured to Bell before directing her eyes down to Rock who had stopped. "I see that you have finally calmed." She then released her hands and the dark girl simply walked away from her.
"Rock, are you okay?" Bell asked very worriedly to her before looking at the broken hand of Rock. "She broke your hand!"
Rock reassured his worries by simply nodding and forcefully relocating her broken hand back, causing Bell to stare in awe.
"Boy…" The crimson woman called out to Bell. "Please, go home with her."
"O-okay." Bell complied. "I'm sorry, Syr, for causing so much trouble, but we Rock need to go."
"It's fine, Bell." Syr reassured by smiling at him. "You can return anytime you want."
"No hard feelings, so don't be bothered about it." Even Mama Mia told him and gave a thumb up. "It's not like anything was destroyed."
"Thank you!" He bowed at them before grabbing Rock's hand and exiting the building, leaving them with the crimson woman.
"I want to apologize again to all of you for almost causing a mess." The crimson woman began as she bowed her head down slightly before exiting the pub.
XXX
Bell and Rock were sitting on a wooden bench far from the busy streets of Orario. Bell was still wiping his tears off of his face, while Rock was trying to comfort him. With the fragmented memory as guide to deal this kind of things, she did the best she can do but, it wasn't enough.
"Comforting your friend, I see." A stranger wearing brown robe approached them.
"Who are- Wait, you're that person!" Bell realized after hearing her voice.
"Indeed, and someone wants to see you." He curled an eyebrow as he heard another familiar voice.
"Bell? Rock?" It called them.
"Goddess?" Bell was embraced by Hestia lovingly between her arms. The tiny Goddess started brushing his hair as Bell began welling up again and hugged her Goddess tightly.
"It's okay to cry, Bell." Hestia told her child, still brushing his hair and back. "You are not perfect after all."
"Goddess, I want to be strong." Bell whispered as both of them released each other's body. "I will be strong."
He felt a hand over his shoulder, tapping him, comforting him like how his Goddess was comforting him. Rock, despite unable to express her emotions, was still trying her best to show them like how she supported her by carrying her pain and emotions through fighting. If only she can do what she was made for, then maybe, she would be able to help and deal with Bell's emotions.
"Rock, thank you for being on his side." Hestia said to her other child and offered her hands towards her. "Come here, Rock, so I could hug you too."
Rock complied and went over to their Goddess to let her do what she wanted. Hestia both held her arms to her children and warmly and hugged them like a mother hugging her own children. Rock couldn't describe what it was, but she felt something within her and simply found herself burying her face deeper under the Goddess's embrace. It was- peaceful and soothing (?). She just can't understand it; however, she knew that she needed it.
"You are learning." The stranger said to Rock. "But, you have more things to learn."
Hestia released them under her embrace as she looked at the sight of the stranger.
"Thank you, also for helping my children." Hestia said to the stranger.
"A small matter, Goddess Hestia. I am simply helping a friend."
"Still, that's a lot to me!" The stranger didn't say anything at that, but regardless, she appreciated it.
"Goddess," Bell began. "I'm sorry; I forgot to buy you some foods."
"It's alright, Bell. Seeing you both makes me satisfied already!" However, her stomach was the opposite of her mind as it growled slightly, causing Bell to chuckle. "Okay, I'm just a little hungry, that's all. Hehehe"
"It would be wise that we should return now and rest for the day." The stranger suggested.
"I still haven't got your name since you insist to only announce it and explain what you are and Rock when my children are back, but you have a point." Hestia agreed.
"Goddess?" She placed a finger over Bell's lips.
"I will tell you later." She then reached out for the hands of her children. "Come Bell, Rock."
The Goddess of Hearth both held their hand with her own as she smiled at them.
"Let's go home."
XXX
To be continued…