The good hunter's eyes opened and he was greeted with the sensation of grass against his back. Bell sat up and observed his surroundings. He was hit with a sense of familiarity when he spotted the pale white flowers that surrounded him.

"...I'm home."

He made it back to his home, his safe haven. The only place where he could momentarily forget about the struggles of the hunt. It housed Eve, his surrogate mother, Gherman, his first mentor, and the messengers, the servants that remained loyal to him during his eternal hunt. And now, this place was the only familiar sight he had while he was plunged into this foreign "peace" that he had yet to understand.

However, this place was also a reminder of all of the terrible things that happened to him since being summoned to serve as a hunter. It symbolized his unknowing enslavement to Flora, it was what stopped him from achieving peace in death, it isolated him from the rest of humanity, it drove him into madness, it's where he took the life of Gehrman, his mentor who too was enslaved to Flora for who knows how long. And most of all, it was where he confronted the being who started it all and where he thought he would achieve eternal rest, only to wake up still living.

This place held a lot of happiness, nostalgia, sadness, and regret for Bell. All of these cascading thoughts were like grasping broken glass, the tighter he clinged to those painful memories, the deeper they cut. But despite that, he found a sense of safety and security in that familiar pain. It was something he was familiar with, which he could not say the same for the peace he found in the Waking World.

He stood up and checked his clothes to see that he was still wearing his long sleeve black shirt and tan pants. He looked to his right to see the massive tree and Gherman's wheelchair, which was located in the same place it had been since their dreadful duel.

What was next to the wheelchair was also Gherman's Burial Blade, with its blade stabbed into the dirt. He let out a sigh before he knelt down to the wheelchair. However, something surprised him. He expected the wheelchair to be covered in dust in dirt but instead, the wheelchair was in pristine condition, as if someone had been taking care of it…

Bell heard faint humming coming from beyond the fence that separated the field of flowers and the hunter's workshop. He leapt over the fence and landed on the staircase with the grace of a ballerina. Bell's vision started to become blurry as he looked at the source of the humming. It was coming from a figure who was kneeling down over a gravestone. The figure's eyes were closed and had her hands intertwined as she prayed to the gravestone. It was Eve, the person that served as his anchor and a person that Bell would consider his surrogate mother.

Her eyes opened when she heard the subtle landing of feet that were up the steps leading to the workshop. She stood up to face the hunter and bowed deeply.

"Good hunter, welcome home."

Those words caused all of the anxiety that was building up in the hunter over the past six days to disappear in an instant.

A soft sob escaped Bell's lips as he raced down the stairs, gracefully skipping steps with refined leaps before throwing his arms around his mother figure. He felt two arms wrap around his back which encouraged him to deepen the embrace. Explosions of relief and joy were taking place in the albino's heart as he realized this was not some twisted joke or hallucination, Eve was actually there in front of him. The doll continued to hold the good hunter in her embrace until Bell ended the hug of his own free will.

"Words cannot express how happy I am to see you, Eve," Bell said, wiping away tears of happiness that were streaming down his cheeks.

"It is good to see you safe, Good Hunter. Tell me, how was your journey in the Waking World?"

"It's been… nice. Though I have experienced some hardship. I'm just so relieved now." the hunter said with a genuine smile.

"So am I Good Hunter, although I am not the only one," the doll said as she gestured toward the ground. Bell followed her gaze and noticed the bubbled hole in the ground where three messengers were holding their pale hands out to the hunter, groaning in happiness. Bell knelt down and held out his hand to the messengers with a fond look in his eyes. As the messengers happily grabbed his hand, he looked up at Eve.

"Can we sit down and talk? We have a lot to discuss."

"Of course, Good Hunter," Eve said as she bowed deeply.

"Thank you. Oh! I almost forgot to show you something!" Bell, with an excited tone, frantically pulled something out of his pocket. It was the rolled up painting of his grandfather and he enthusiastically showed it to Eve.

"Look! Look at this! Do you know what this is?! It's a painting of my grandfather! I… I actually know what my grandfather looks like now!"

The vibrant smile that was present on Bell's face as he held out the painting of his grandfather brought a grin to Eve's face, something that didn't happen quite often. "I am happy and relieved to hear that, Good Hunter."

As Bell talked about his grandfather, Eve recalled the moment the Good Hunter realized he could no longer remember his grandfather's physical appearance. She remembered how devastated the Good Hunter was when he told her he couldn't even recall the face of his grandfather. He was a mess and it took quite a while for her to nurture him back into a coherent state. She was relieved that he was able to achieve happiness from this because seeing him this happy was a rare occurrence during his hunt. His bright smile caused Eve to recall the time Bell told her about the Sun. The Sun was an object in the sky that casted light upon the world and brightened the land. Bell told her it was supposedly the brightest object in the world. However, Bell's vibrant smile caused Eve to doubt his previous statement.

After Bell talked about his grandfather for what could have been hours, he and Eve walked over to a perch that rested at the bottom of the staircase. Eve took a seat on the perch and Bell sat in front of her. He sat back and laid the back of his head on Eve's lap and let out a relaxed sigh as he felt Eve's right hand weave through his hair with her left hand cupping the left side of Bell's face, causing him to lean his head onto her hand.

After about a minute, Eve's right hand retreated from his hair and brought out the small hair ornament.

"You still have that?" Bell asked with a surprised tone.

"Of course, it was the first gift you have given me."

Eve then started to softly comb Bell's hair with the hair ornament. After relishing in the comforting act, he began to talk.

"When I returned to the world of Genkai, I dispatched some wolves which were incredibly weak compared to the wolves of Yharnam and I found a leather backpack on the group which contained the painting of my grandfather. After that, I found a road and encountered travelers that were heading to Orario. There were two passengers. One was Mark, who was a nice older fellow, and Hermes who was a… god."

Eve's hand that was weaving through Bell's hair stopped for a second.

"A god? Do you mean a Great-"

"No. Thankfully no. If he was one I would have struck him down where he stood," Bell said with conviction. "The god Hermes has an appearance that resembles a human, I am not sure if the gods and goddesses are masquerading as humans or if that is their actual appearance."

"I see, that's a relief."

"I agree. Though I am still wary of them. I have been observing them for the past couple of days and it seems like they use their familia members for entertainment and live off of their hard work without contributing. In fact, they didn't descend to help humanity, they did it for entertainment. It's abhorrent." The disgust in Bell's voice was as clear as the sky on a Summer day.

"Good Hunter, what do you mean by familia members," Eve said as she continued to brush Bell's hair.

"Ah forgive me I haven't explained that yet. Gods and goddesses have created their own familias where they give their familia members a falna which raises their attributes such as speed and strength well beyond the point they would normally be."

"Is it similar to the echoes of blood?"

"Kinda," Bell put a hand to his chin as he started to ruminate about the topic of a falna. "Though I am not sure how it completely works since I haven't joined a familia. What I do know is that their attributes increase when they essentially do anything that pertains to a certain attribute. One example is running which increases one's speed or lifting weights to increase one's strength."

"That's intriguing. Does that mean, unlike the echoes of blood, you can't choose which attribute you want to enhance?"

Eve did bring up a thought-provoking question. With the echoes of blood, Bell was able to choose which attribute he wanted to strengthen but from what he has gathered, that's not the case with a falna.

"I believe so. Though like blood echoes, the best way to obtain "excelia" is by hunting monsters that reside in the Dungeon."

"Monsters? Are you referring to the beasts? And is the dungeon similar to the chalice dungeons?"

"Kind of. The Dungeon is this massive labyrinth that burrows deep into the world and houses the most dangerous monsters there are, though I have yet to encounter one that would pose a threat to me. The main purpose of the city of Orario is to house adventurers and have them slay monsters in the dungeon to keep them from reaching the surface."

"I see, that is quite interesting." Eve nodded her head as she continued to caress the Good Hunter's soft white hair.

"Anyway, we then arrived at Orario. The city appears to be not as advanced as Yharnam. I didn't see any firearms or trick weapons so perhaps they haven't reached that stage of weaponry yet. I was thinking of introducing this world to gunpowder and the power of firearms but it seems like they don't need it."

"Why is that?"

"People can use magic. Not like the Arcane Arts where I need quicksilver bullets to use hunters tools or bless my weapons with magic, but like actual magic. In fact, I witnessed some form of healing magic too.

Bell heard the rumors of how powerful magic can be. For example, an elf whose alias is "Nine Hells" has magic so powerful that it can decimate an entire floor. Magic that powerful makes the hunters tools in Bell's arsenal pale in comparison. His eternal hunt would have been substantially less stressful and insanity provoking if he had access to powerful magic like that.

Eve let out a hmm and Bell continued with his story.

"I then went to this pub called the 'Hostess of Fertility' and ordered this meal called spaghetti and let me tell you the food there is delicious! I can't wait to try all of the food the city has to offer!"

The childish tone the Good Hunter used as he described the food amused Eve, it reminded her of how he acted when they first met all those decades ago. At the beginning of his hunt, the Good Hunter was happy, cheerful, and slightly naive. However, those traits slowly disappeared throughout the hunt until Eve nearly forgot the sound of the Good Hunter's laughter or his stuttering when he talked about his previous goal in the dungeon.

"That's nice to hear Good Hunter. I'm assuming you met some humans in Orario. How are they?"

"They are much better than the citizens of Yharnam." Bell held up his hand and started to list off the reasons. "Mind you not all of them are friendly but they are actually sane, I can have a conversation with them, they are not trying to kill me, and they treat me as if I am a human being." The Good Hunter's expression became inquisitive. "There are also other races as well."

"Other… races?" Eve said with a tilted head, a habit that she did when she didn't understand something.

"Correct, they are referred to as demi-humans and there are many different subtypes. There are these little people called pallums, people with pointy ears called elves, females with dark skin called amazons, people that are taller than pallums but shorter than humans called dwarfs… and then there's the beastfolk."

"Beastfolk? Do they attack humans and the other demi-humans?" To Eve's surprise, Bell shook his head.

"No, they don't."

When Eve's eyebrows started to raise, Bell elaborated. "It's strange I know, but it's the truth. They appear to be passive and friendly to the other races. They also show signs of intelligence that the beasts of Yharnam lacked. I have seen them engage in conversations with the other races and perform complex tasks such as buying clothes with currency and forging weapons."

"I see. Although that is indeed strange, I am glad the people of the Waking World are kind to you, Good Hunter."

Bell stood up and held out his hand to Eve, who took and he helped her up. Bell then began to walk and the doll followed.

"Yes, it is nice. At the pub I have met many people from various races. Miss Grand, a dwarf that is surprisingly tall, seems nice and easy to talk to. Miss Lion is an elf and although she is quiet and reserved, the conversations I have with her are pleasant. She is also a skilled swordswoman and capable of magic. Miss Fromel and Miss Rollo are both cat people but despite that they are pleasant company, though Miss Rollo is kinda aggressive with her flirtation. She also has a fixation on my butt and to be honest, I don't really know how to deal with that. Miss May is also a cat person and makes the delicious food I was telling you about earlier. Miss Faust is the calm one and seems to be the one that keeps Miss Rollo and Miss Fromel in check. Then… there's Syr."

"What's wrong with Syr?" Eve asked, noticing Bell's hesitation. A moment of silence went by before Bell responded.

"... Although she is cheerful and charismatic, there's something about her that sets me on edge." Bell had a thoughtful countenance on his face. "There are times where I feel like she's looking at me as if I am her next prey. It is unnerving."

"Is she dangerous?"

Bell brought up a hand to his chin and started to contemplate. "I don't think so. She definitely is hiding something from me but… she's a nice person."

"I see. I am glad to hear that the people at the pub treat you well, Good Hunter."

"Yeah, it's great, though it is also quite exhausting."

"And why is that?"

"...When you are engaging with someone during a social interaction, there are so many aspects you have to take into account in order for it to be successful. For example, if I am talking to Chloe, I have to navigate her flirty banter and occasional grab at my butt. If I am interacting with Syr, I have to choose my words carefully because of the possibility of her hiding something from me. I never had to take this into account during my hunt. Every single thing I encountered either wanted to have a short conversation with me, or kill me."

Bell let out a sigh and massaged his temple.

"The hunt was so much simpler."

Their walk led them back to Gherman's memorial and their conversation ceased. Bell walked up to the scythe, intending on grabbing it before he stopped. He looked at his hand, and tightened his fist before his arm went limp at his side. Eve noticed the dejected expression on the Good Hunter's face as he continued to stare at the weapon.

"My Good Hunter, what is wrong? Do you not desire to wield Gherman's Burial Blade?"

"I do but… wouldn't it be presumptuous of me to wield the weapon Gherman used to try and liberate me from the dream? Do I even have the right to use it? I killed Gherman to pursue my selfish goal."

Bell felt a soft hand grab his shoulder and he immediately clasped it with his right hand, seeking its comfort.

"Gherman's body in the Waking World had been lost to time long, long before you ever became bound to the Dream. I took care of all Hunters that came before you, I saw how every time Gherman freed one of them from the Dream he wished he was the one kneeling before the scythe. And you gave him that freedom. You believe that you killed him, but I assure you that you gave him salvation, he was grateful to you just as I am."

Immense relief cascaded through Bell and he felt like 1,000 pounds was lifted off of his shoulders. Bell slowly walked up to the embedded Burial Blade and began to reach toward it. By the time Bell grasped the Burial Blade, all the weeds that weaved around the blade slithered away, as if accepting the Hunter as the new wielder of the blade that freed so many hunters from the dream.

Bell lifted the scythe from the ground, both hands grasping the staff that was attached to the massive blade at its top. The weapon was similar to what the Grim Reaper would use. He then rotated his body, held his weapon high, and swung the blade in a circular strike, causing a massive gust of wind that made hundreds of white flowers fly out of their roots. After a couple of more test swings, Bell detached the blade from the staff with a soft click. The staff folded in on itself, leaving behind a massive blade. Unlike the Rakuyo whose blade was slender and straight, the Burial Blade was thick and curved.

Bell gave it a few test swings and fought against an imaginary hunter, using multiple attacks such as swinging, backstepping then slashing, to even swinging then following up that attack with a transformed Burial Blade.

Bell looked down at the Burial Blade within his grasp and smiled in satisfaction. This weapon will do nicely, no wonder Gherman was so formidable with it during their final battle.

"Gherman… I hope you found peace in the afterlife." After a period of silence in respect for his mentor, the hunter turned to the doll.

"Are all of my materials in the workshop?" Bell asked Eve.

"Yes Good Hunter, everything is in your workshop," Eve said as she gestured toward the workshop with her hand.

"Thank you Eve."

"Of course Good Hunter."

The pair began to walk towards the workshop and once they stepped inside, Bell felt a sense of familiarity and nostalgia flow through him. The various weapons he had collected during his hunt decorated the walls, the stacks of old books that were collecting dust, the ominous altar that allowed him to equip runes, the table where he upgraded his weapons. Despite the fact that the workshop caught fire and was burning on the night he escaped the Dream, everything in the workshop was where it was the last time he set foot in it.

Eve sat at the table tucked in the back of the workshop and watched as Bell knelt down to address the messengers that were holding out bloodstone shards, twin bloodstone shards, bloodstone chunks, and a massive bloodstone rock to him. They were upgrade materials collected from the corpses of the hunt that allowed him to turn any makeshift weapon such as the Saw Cleaver into a weapon that was capable of slaying a Great One.

The messengers let out a pleased moan once the hunter took their offerings and gave each of them a pat on the head before retreating back into their bubbled hole in the ground. Once the messengers were out of sight, the hunter laid out the Burial Blade and the materials onto the workbench and a thought occurred to him.

'Do I still have Blood Echoes?'

Blood Echoes are the echo of someone's will. Like a ghost is the lingering image of a person, Blood Echoes are the lingering presence of their will that stays long after the person or beast has passed away. These echoes were obtained by slaying beasts or crushing items containing Blood Echoes such as a Coldblood Dew.

Bell closed his eyes and projected a Blood Echo in his mind and he did have some. In fact, he had quite an abundance of it, most likely enough to upgrade an attribute if he desired to. Though the return wouldn't be as fruitful given the "hard caps" he has run into. His abundance of Blood Echoes was most likely because of his duel with Gherman and the Moon Presence. Great Ones, beasts that are worthy of a hunt, or experienced hunters who have claimed countless lives of beasts have a ridiculous amount of Blood Echoes that made their hunt fruitful.

After embedding the weapon with the appropriate upgrade materials and blood gems, the proud hunter let out a smile of satisfaction as he ran his hand down the staff of the burial blade.

'This will be a formidable weapon.'

"Good hunter."

"Yes Eve?" Bell said, eyes still glued to the Burial Blade.

"May I ask you a question?"

"Of course, you needn't ask," Bell said as he turned around to look at Eve who was still sitting at the table.

"What is your plan in the Waking World?"

The question caused Bell to stop in his tracks and anxiety started to bubble up in the hunter.

"M-My plan…" Bell muttered as he twirled a piece of his hair in his hand.

"I did what was necessary when I arrived, I went to the library and studied the history of Genkai, the races that inhabit the world and their cultures, everything that could help me gain a sense of familiarity but…"

Bell paused and his uneasiness increased when he realized…

"I have no idea."

He didn't have a clue on what he wanted to do. He fought for so long to be freed from the Dream and he achieved his eternal long goal. He killed the Moon Presence and escaped the Dream. He was free and he had no idea what to do with his new found freedom.

But there is perhaps one person that could fix that. Bell looked back to his surrogate mother, who was waiting patiently for the albino to organize his thoughts.

"I honestly don't know what to do with my life. I… was hoping you could be the one to tell me."

"Me?" Eve said as she tilted her head to the side in confusion.

"Yes, you." Relief started to build up inside of Bell, he felt reassurance and confidence return to him and he started to speak with more conviction.

"Whenever I was lost and didn't know what to do during the Hunt, you always knew what needed to be done and always guided me toward my objective. Whenever I hit a roadblock and was stuck, the wisdom you shared with me was always eye opening and made me realize the solution to my problems. I believe I need that type of guidance and wisdom in the Waking World."

"Good Hunter, I don't think-" Eve was interrupted by Bell, who appeared as if he didn't even register the fact that Eve was trying to speak.

"Before we decide, I think it would be best to tell you everything I have learned thus far."

And that's exactly what he did. He bombarded Eve with information ranging from the history of Genkai, the various races and their cultures, the history of Orario, he even told her about his trauma and the episode he had in the bathroom.

Once Bell finished, he looked at Eve, who was sitting in her chair with her eyes closed, and waited with anticipation.

"Good Hunter…"

Bell perked up when Eve's eyes opened and those words exited her lips.

"Yes?"

The doll said nothing and continued to stare at Bell, not saying anything or even making any movements, as if she was a statue. This unusual behavior started to make the hunter a little nervous. Because Eve's expression was stoic and emotionless a majority of the time, it was hard to tell what was going on in Eve's mind. Was she going over the multiple plans she formed in her head? Or was she-

"I can't be the one that decides what you do in the Waking World."

Bell's mind reached a screeching halt and he stared at Eve, mouth agape.

"...Come again?"

The doll, never breaking eye contact with Bell nor changing her expression, repeats herself.

"I can't be the one that decides what you do in the Waking World."

"…Why? Back during the hunt this was always how we did it. I gave you information and in return, you formed a plan of action, gave me a task and told me what needed to be done! What's different about this?"

The look of despair on the Good Hunter's face caused a wave of sadness to cascade over Eve. He looked so helpless and lost. She almost wanted to take back what she said just to see him smile again but she knew what she was about to do was best for him, so she pressed on.

"You already answered your own question, Good Hunter."

"Huh?"

"Your eternal hunt and your life in the Waking World are two different things."

"But-"

Eve cut him off and continued.

"Back during your eternal hunt, you had one clear path; defeat the Paleblood and end the source of scourging beasts, or die trying. You accomplished what countless hunters before you failed to do, and I am very proud of you. However, in the Waking World, there is not only one clear path you could take. You could join a familia, become an adventurer, or you could even leave Orario. These are three of the potentially limitless paths you could take in the Waking World, and I can't be the one to choose. The person who decides what you do in the Waking World is you and you alone."

Bell opened his mouth to reply but he found himself not being able to say anything in return. As always, Eve was right. This isn't his eternal hunt they are talking about, where his goal was crystal clear. They are talking about his life in the Waking World, where, like she said, had limitless possibilities.

But those possibilities brought forth profound changes to his life that he wasn't sure he was ready for.

Joining a familia would mean he would have to dedicate himself to a god or goddess.

Becoming an adventurer would result in him hunting beasts, a task that he fought so long to escape.

And leaving Orario… Ludwig's breath, what would he do if he actually went through with that?!

Eve watched as Bell's breathing started to become uneven and his eyes started to become unfocused. Based on the information ingrained into her when she was created by Gherman and the books she had read among the workshop, it appeared like the Good Hunter was in the early stages of experiencing a panic attack. Her observation was confirmed when he started to hyperventilate and rub his forehead with both of his hands vigorously.

Eve reached across the table and gently laid a hand on Bell's head and started to gently run her hand through his hair. The comforting feeling brought Bell out of his trance and he looked at Eve.

"Good hunter, I didn't mean to cause you so much distress, I believe you misunderstood something vitally important."

Eve put a small but reassuring smile on her face and continued to caress his hair, something that she noticed calms the Good Hunter down during his many previous mental breakdowns.

"I may not be your guide anymore in the Waking World, but the Dream will alway exist, and I will be here to help you."

"R-Really?"

"Of course, Good Hunter. Should your life in the Waking World appear bleak and forlorn, I will always be here in the dream to embolden your disheartened spirit. That is a promise, Bell Cranel."

Hearing Eve actually say his name, combined with how reassuring Eve's voice was caused his heart to hammer in his chest and he felt sheer gratitude toward the doll. But still, he had his doubts.

"Still, even with your support, the thought of making those choices and taking into account the potential repercussions that follow those decisions are terrifying… gahhh!"

Bell clutched his head in a childlike manner. "Everything was much simpler during the hunt! All I had to do was hunt beasts! Why must the Waking World be so complicated!?"

"Of course the Waking World would be complicated. The Waking World doesn't revolve around an eternal hunt, there is so much more to it. Although it will be challenging, you are intelligent and resourceful enough to accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Besides, these complicated choices you make in life, isn't it part of the process of what you hunters call 'growing up'?"

Bell gave Eve a confused look and she elaborated.

"You are a fourteen year old boy, knocking on the door to young adulthood. From what I know, life changing choices are common for children at that age."

Bell backed up from Eve's hand, gave her a skeptical look and spoke to her with a tone that radiated amusement.

"We both know I am not some ordinary teenager. Although time during the hunt was nonexistent, I am confident I have existed longer than humans in their twilight years."

"That may be true, but the only people who know that are you and I. The living beings and deities of the Waking World will see a young man that has yet to experience the world around him."

"T-Thats…true." Bell couldn't think of anything to say back to Eve, which was not an uncommon theme whenever the two had a disagreement.

Bell leaned back in his seat and contemplated her words.

"The person who decides what you do in the Waking World is you and you alone."

"What I want to do…"

Eve watched the Good Hunter as he reclined into his seat and hyper focused on the massive holy blade that hung on the wall.

'He is engaging in deep thought, excellent.'

Hyperfocusing on one of his many weapons that hung on the workshop wall was a habit the Good Hunter engaged in when he was seriously contemplating a decision or task. Eve was relieved that their conversation went well, the Good Hunter needed to be capable of making his own choices.

'Just in case…'

"I… I've decided on what I want to do." Eve looked back to the Good Hunter who was staring at her with a confident countenance. Eve listened to what he planned on doing and let out a hum of satisfaction.

"I believe that is a satisfactory choice, Good Hunter."

"I believe so too but… if I follow through with it, aren't I doing what I tried to escape from doing for so long?"

"No." Eve shook her head to the side. "What you engaged in during the Hunt was because you had to. You had no other choice. You are choosing to do this of your own volition."

The words Eve conveyed brought some comfort to Bell and he felt better with what he was about to do.

"I think it's about time I head back to the Waking World," the hunter said.

"Very well, Good Hunter."

The pair stood up from their table and once gathered all of the items and hunters tools he wanted to bring to the Waking World, he just stood there because, in fact, had no idea how to exit the dream.

"... How do I head back to the Waking World?" Bell asked, with a slight sense of trepidation.

To the hunter's relief, her reply was instant.

"Follow me."

Bell followed Eve out of the workshop and down the stairs which led to a single gravestone that was set apart from the others.

"This grave surfaced moments after you defeated the Moon Presence, I believe it belongs to you. It shall serve as your gateway to the Waking World."

"So it functions like all the other gravestones?" Bell asked and was answered with a nod from Eve.

"Good Hunter, I believe there is something you should know before leaving."

"What is it?" Bell asked.

"I have a concern about your connection to the Dream. Although it is still present, I do not believe it is as strong as it was during your eternal hunt."

"That's… strange. Could you elaborate?"

To Bell's surprise, an uncertain countenance formed on Eve's face.

"I… I don't know how to put it into words…"

This was quite a surprise for the hunter because the doll always had an answer at the ready so to see the being he always went to for guidance and advice struggle to provide an answer was shocking.

"...Back in Yharnam, where the Great Ones had a strong influence in the mortal realm, the Dream was strongly bound to your very existence, they were so intertwined that regardless of how you died it would always bring you back without fail. However, now that its creator, Flora, has perished and you exist in a world where the influence of higher beings is much smaller, what was once a thick binding has been reduced to a worn-down rope holding itself together by a single strand... if it were to snap..."

"Then I would die a true death," Bell concluded with a calm tone.

"That's a possibility. You could also just cease to exist. You could become trapped in the Dream. Or even lose your connection to the Dream permanently-"

"No!"

Eve was cut off by a frantic Bell whose eyes held a sense of panic to them. The sense of fear that Eve saw in his eyes reminded her of their very first meeting where the Good Hunter was still new to the hunt. She found herself speechless and chose to just wait for the Good Hunter to speak again.

"I-I… I don't want that."

"Then tread carefully in the Waking World Good Hunter."

Bell just nodded and wrapped his arms around Eve, who reciprocated his embrace.

"This isn't goodbye Eve, I will be back soon."

"I await your return, Good Hunter. I pray you find what you seek in the Waking World."

Bell then knelt down and placed a hand onto the gravestone, imagined his room within the Hostess of Fertility, and disappeared from the Hunter's Dream.

Eve kept her focus on the gravestone that served as the Good Hunter's gateway to the Waking World.

She was worried for the hunter, but also excited.

His weakened connection to the Dream could only mean one thing.

The transformation was incomplete.

Authors note

Question to you readers, especially the ones that have played Bloodborne, now that Bell is connected to the Hunter's Dream, are there any weapons you want to see him use at some point? If so let me know in your review.

Thanks for all the reviews! Although I stopped messaging back I still appreciate all of them! I decided to do something similar to the author of "Fallen Argonaut" (great fic btw check it out) and reply to reviews that have a lot to say or have questions. I occassionally cut the review down a little so it wont be all that the readers said.

Fortitude501: Hey since Bell had spared Maria, will we get to see again in some time? Also what made me scratch my head about Bloodborne is that the Cainhurst Vilebloods are deeply more involved in both the lore and the game entirely… I wonder how Bell would react when he finds out that there is a way to bring back Annalise.'

Author's Reply: Who knows maybe Bell will see her but for now she is still in the Hunter's Nightmare. Yeah now that I think about it the Cainhurst Vilebloods are deeply involved in the lore. Bell will probably be very surprised when he finds out there is a way to bring back Annalise.

Zasun: Oh man, I hope he confides in Ryuu. I think she could help and understand him more than anyone. Bell needs a true friend. Where would you put him power wise right now?... Please keep up the absolutely amazing work! All for BellxRyuu!

Author's Reply: Ryuu is definitely one of those people that would understand Bell and he does need a true friend (excluding Eve). Powerwise he is definitely stronger than a level 2 considering how he decimated the Minotaurs. More stuff is gonna happen in the upcoming chapters that will give you clues until you are given something more concrete at the end of the first arc.

Enumeaelish666: at first I was not attracted to this story because the chapters were very short but I am glad to see that they are getting longer and are very well done, the interaction of the characters is also interesting, now that Bell is returning to the hunter's dream I hope that he recovers his things and can summon them whenever he wants, I also love that Bell is almost crazy and traumatized, plus the reason he wants to enter the dungeon is because of his bloodlust instead of something stupid like wanting to be a hero or form a harem, I also hope we see the perspective of other characters and not just Bell's, I want to read Ryuu's and Freya's thoughts since I'm curious what Bell's soul is like I hope it's something like a galaxy since by killing several great ones including the Lunar presence then he himself is close to being a God or that he is already a great one but without knowing it he rebuilt his body because of how he sees himself. Finally I hope that bo joins no family since he doesn't need it, I hope you can think of a way for the guild to let him change the crystals for valis without having a family.

Author's reply: Glad I caught your interest! Yes because Bell has returned to the Hunter's Dream he will be able to use his weapons, hunter tools, and a lot of other stuff from the dream. We will definitely get a POV of Ryuu and Freya sometime down the line. His soul definitely looks different from his canon one. Alhough Bell technically doesn't need to join a familia for a blessing, there are still some benefits of joining a familia.

Moonlit Night's Poem: I honestly have no idea about bloodborne aside from it being like a Dark Souls game (of which I only played the first one), and I can't even remember the last time I watched Dungeon ni Deai. Somehow, I still ended up reading this story up to the latest chapter... I guess it's just that interesting. Bell's new character, as well as his newfound craving for monster slaughter... I think those are what hooked me up. Love me some grey/dark heroes to read. Can't wait for the new chapter!

Author's reply: Wow that's awesome I am glad my story was that interesting for you! Also I love your re zero fic. Such an interesting take on Lust If Subaru.