Dan machi does not belong to me.
XXXX
Cough*
An erratic cough filled the unfamiliar room, continuing for a minute before her breathing returned to normal. Red eyes looked desperate holding his chest tightly, even as he noticed that he was completely bandaged.
"Ahh, haa. Ahh, haa. Ahh, haa."
He tried to inhale and exhale to regain his composure. When his chest relaxed he could see that he was in his room. It wasn't the church room, it was the bar room. With his mind clouded he put his hand to his head, the last memory of him was being in front of the silver back and falling. His eyes widened and his body jumped, what happened to Fina?
More questions formed in his head.
Who brought it, and did that person help the girl?
With the irresistible pain he forced himself to get up, his hand went straight to his chest, when he touched it he was struck by pain again.
It was clear that that blow left him very bad.
Leaning against the wall, he walked to the door, slow and shaky steps, his mind on one thing, "What happened to Fina?" He refused to believe that she was dead, he fell, but she must have found a way to escape.
"Please let him be okay" Timer thought.
As his hand was about to turn the doorknob, the door was opened without warning.
A mop of silver hair peeked out of the doorway. "What are you doing standing up!?" The scream in front of him wreaked havoc on his head, she swayed slightly as if she were going to fall from the headache.
Syr tried to help, but was quickly rebuffed by Timer's hand, who leaned against the wall on his own.
He made a noticeably sourer face than usual as he regained his balance. "Leave me, Syr. Where is Fina?"
Syr showed a look of confusion before shrugging. "I don't know who you're talking about, but you have to go to bed, they told me you were very bad." She reached over and guided him to the bed, but Timer refused to move.
"You don't understand! I have to know what happened to the girl." Timer's eyes narrowed and he forcefully pushed Syr aside. At his action, Timer clenched his fists and said, "I'm sorry."
It was a murmur before trying to try to get out again.
"But you don't understand, your wounds could-"
"I'll take care of it, Syr." A voice coming from the door surprised the Cranel, Timer didn't take long to notice the newly. From the door a stoic Elf announced herself. In a flash, she took it upon herself to hold him and force her to walk towards the bed, any attempt at resistance was useless as she realized that Ryuu's strength was much greater than her own.
Her posture was like that of a mountain, she held him fast and if she wanted, she could easily drag him towards the bed, another thing that hurt Timer's pride.
Is she that strong? Timer clenched his hands in frustration.
"The girl is at home"
with those words,Timer's eyes relaxed and he sighed. "Are you telling the truth? Wait, how do you know about the girl, Ryuu" he asked towards the elf.
"Why did I bring you here, once the monster was defeated the girl was able to go home."
"Thank you." Timer bowed deeply, more than he thought he normally would.
"Now you'll go back to bed, don't be a fool, Timer." Frowning slightly, Ryuu started moving it again.
"Whatever you say" The wounded boy gave up and allowed himself to be led to the bed. But before he even took a step, a thought flashed through his head.
"W-where is Bell?"
It came out as both a thought and a murmur. Air escaped from her lungs, her breathing erratic again.
How long did you sleep?
Bell beat whatever he was fighting?
And what happened to Hestia-sama?
Timer activated the Synesthesia connection to see how Bell's emotions were.
There was nothing, just a vestige of confusion.
Syr and Ryuu for their part watched as the white-haired man stopped with a lost look, upon hearing his words they looked at each other for a moment without knowing what to do. Syr was about to say something before Ryuu's hand stopped her. She shook her head at her friend and looked at Timer.
"Cranel-san, I'll tell him"
"So! -"
"Only, if he goes back to bed"
"..."
"Understood?"
"Yeah..."
With that, Timer moved on his own slowly. His face still concerned.
He lost. That word was so strange…he wasn't strong enough to fight the monster. It was the first time he had experienced such a crushing, unequal defeat. Was this what awaited him in Orario? Suffer reality without being able to do anything to defend yourself. Next time he wouldn't be lucky enough to be saved.
Being a useless big brother who can't take care of his brother when necessary?
And because of him, his brother could be...
"Let's start at the beginning, Cranel-san. Do you remember why you're hurt?"snapped out of his thoughts when Ryuu's voice called out to him.
Timer's eyes shifted in confusion, his gaze resting on the elf "Don't they already know?" Syr shook her head, laughing nervously.
"Let's just say we didn't have time..."
Hewounded young man narrowed his eyes "What happened."
"N-it's nothing serious" Syr cursed her stutter.
"Syr... Ryuu, just tell me what happened with Bell now!" Timer insisted, deepening his voice. In surprise, Syr took a step back, the white-haired's action drawing Ryuu's menacing look. Timer closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Please...just tell me what happened to my brother."
Ryuu relaxed her gaze before saying, "The goddess Hestia was injured." At his words, Timer wondered if his actions were the right ones, should he have let Fina die? No, he pushed those thoughts away, it was just his fault, if he had helped Fina and then gone with Bell everything would be fine. It was his uselessness that caused this situation.
Now, he wanted to get up, go wherever the goddess was to help.
But as if he read her mind,Ryuu raised his palm in front of him. "You must stay in her place, her condition is worse than the goddess's, she only has exhaustion. Instead, you, Cranel-san, have your entire ribcage crushed."
"But-" He tried to protest in response, but was once again silenced by the High Elf Archer in front of him.
"Don't worry Timer-san, she should be fine." Syr spoke animatedly in a comforting tone.
"Why do you use 'should' instead of 'is', isn't she here?"
"W-well..." Syr looked at Ryuu for help."
"Why don't we focus on the reason for your state, Cranel-san" The elf didn't know exactly what happened, Mama-Mia gave her the order to go after him, she obeyed, she was lucky to arrive on time, Timer would have died If not.
Timer stared at her, they avoided talking so much about the state of Bell and Hestia-sama, he had nothing to do, Ryuu was the only one who would tell him what happened. She sighed before speaking, better to summarize as quickly as possible.
"ListenTell the customers that Bell and Hestia-sama were attacked and I went to their aid." Bell and Ryuu listened intently, in their conversation Timer's eyes never left his palm. He remembered the promise he made with his goddess.
'Soul Bound is an incredible ability, and they will go far with it. So I ask you please. Keep it a secret'
TimerI resume the conversation after a pause. "I tried to get to them, but I was forced to stop, a girl was being attacked by one of the monsters that went after her and I had to help her."
He didn't mention that he was about to abandon her, that he had inadvertently mistaken the cry for help for that of an adult, and if he had to choose between the life of a stranger and his blood brother, he would undoubtedly have chosen Bell.
Protect those you love, help those in need, face evil and get the girl. That was the code that the grandfather taught them, over and over again he repeated it like a prayer, those words were engraved on Bell's mind, on him... not so much, it always seemed silly to him. Grandfather's words were always put aside, but at the same time, it was advice from his grandfather who only said it to him: 'Take care of the family, take care of all its members, losing a member is the greatest pain. that you will know.'
Timer, for many years he wondered why he never forgot that phrase, perhaps it was the tone in which he said it, that whenever Bell said it to him, Bell was never present or perhaps... it was the emotions that appeared on his face... For the first time in his life, he saw that joking and affectionate old man show tired and pain-filled eyes.
Thinking about Bell's death was…painful. Maybe it was because they were twins, maybe it was because of Bell's attitude. Who knows.
Just... the pain he experienced in his chest when he was told about the death of his grandfather...
take care of theFamily that was what his grandfather taught him. And he failed his grandfather, he couldn't protect him, neither him nor his brother.
Timer was constantly apologizing to his deceased grandfather. He would like to be like Bell and accept all of Grandpa's teachings, wanting to just be a hero. But impossible for himself. He would never put the welfare of others above his family's or himself for that matter.
He himself doesn't know why he went to help the girl, his conscience simply responded, that shouldn't have happened, not when Bell, his brother and at the same time the person he appreciated the most was in danger.
Just... That scream from Fina sounded so desperate...
Ryuu nodded calmly, his judgment was not wrong, the Cranel brothers were respectable people. His actions today only proved that fact, rescuing a girl even when the chances of survival were slim. And the rumors spoke of the other brother rescuing the goddess from him and ending the monster. A true display of heroism.
"We managed to escape, but the monster continued to chase us, until the moment came when it caught me" Timer lowered his head, a group of thoughts attacked him. The monster hit him, his whole body felt that blow like a wall crashing into his chest. But... What if that damage reached Bell? Synesthesia was on, what if his mistake affected his brother? What if Bell was hurt by him?
"But the girl is alive, Timer-San. That was thanks to you" Bell's attempts to comfort her wouldn't work, the problem was something else in her head.
"If it wasn't for Ryuu we would have died, I was defeated by that monster... and my mistake could have caused a bigger problem." Hate built up inside him, hate himself.
Timer knew he shouldn't feel this way. When the grandfather died, he made a promise. Accompany Bell on his journey and make him the greatest hero that ever lived.
Bigger than the Argonaut, morebigger than Albert Waldstein. That was his purpose. But how would he make it if he wasn't even capable of being a worthy companion. How would he if he wasn't even able to accompany the hero on his journey.
So pathetic, so weak.
Timer saw his hand, this was the hand of someone lazy, who let the world decide what he would do with his life.
Was he planning to help Bell? Of course he was.
But not now, not with these hands. He first she had to become someone capable of accompanying the hero on his journey.
He never thought of winning against the monster, his pathetic mentality, his humble will only able to devise ways to escape.
Never more
He told himself. From now on I would change this situation.
"And that's the short story, now please tell me what happened to my brother"
"...Well, this, ummm."
"The Loki family has it"
Timer blinked as if he hadn't understood. "Sorry?"
"Rumors say that his brother collapsed in agony after winning against the Silver Back." Ryuu said before Timer's watchful gaze, "Apparently the monster hit him and he only suffered the consequences after defeating it, it's normal for adrenaline to inhibit pain, and when adrenaline stopped taking effect that was the result."
Timer's eyes lost color for a moment. 'In the end, I was just a nuisance...'. Bell had it all figured out and he screwed it up.
Just useless.
"And where does the Loki family come into all of this."
"Sword Princess and the goddess Loki brought both her brother and the goddess Hestia to their headquarters to heal them."
The albino's gaze went to the elf and he bowed his head in thanks, she didn't change her stoic expression. "Do you think he can go to the Loki family headquarters today?"
Syr was about to say no, but Ryuu spoke before. "In normal cases, even with the Falna, it is recommended that you rest for a couple of days." The Falna was a tool that could help in many areas, but it doesn't work miracles, or at least not instantaneously.
"..."
"But that's in normal cases." Ryuu added, drawing a confused look from Ryuu and bewilderment from Syr.
"Ryuu, what do you think? -"
"For whatever reason, his body is healing twice as fast as a normal adventurer." Ryū said. The wound Timer left the Bar with was something that level 1 adventurers wouldn't have survived, that was a fatal blow but it was already healing. "Also, Mama-Mia insisted on using the best potions we had. So if she's careful she can go today."
"I do not know what to say."
"As I told you before, don't waste the goodness that has been offered to you." With that, Ryuu walked towards her exit with Syr trailing behind her."Let him recover, Cranel-san" He said from the door as he left.
Before leaving, Syr shook her head. "I know you're not going to listen, but don't push yourself so hard, that color doesn't suit you...".With those words Syr also left the room.
Thus leaving a Timer who was still looking at his palm. He continued like this for several minutes before stopping, there would be no responses now.
With the incessant pain in his chest, he lay on his back, little by little his eyes were closing.
He just… needed to get some rest.
.
.
.
-At the same time-
"Hmm?"
Ruby eyes flickered, held tight before red irises revealed, her head cocked to the side of the room. Timer was not around, and H-.
"Hestia-sa- Gah!"
A careless attempt to get up caused a hard pressure on his chest, his hesitant and trembling hands clasped on his ribs gently. Even the light touch caused a strong pulsation of pain.
He inhaled and exhaled repeatedly to ease the pain. As his eyes searched the room he was met with a pair of golden eyes looking directly at him.
"AA-Aiz W-Wallentein?!"
The white-haired man's face instantly changed to the same color as his eyes, his face completely covered in intense red.
Impossible!
His heart was not ready!
He could clearly feel his chest heaving uncontrollably.
"Are you OK?"
Aiz Wallenstein was worried about him! Forget everything, she can die peacefully now, oh!...she was like an angel.
The beautiful blonde cocked her head before bringing their foreheads together. She was totally unaware of the effect she had on the poor boy.
In that instant, Bell was in heaven.
To have her face so close... She had her eyes closed, if she tilted her head slightly...
Unable to bear it, Bell recoiled even redder than before.
"You seem to have a fever...I don't know what it has to do with your injuries...Maybe Riveria knows."
Fever, so that was why, Bell let out a much-needed sigh, "W-Wallenstein-S-san…". Bell nearly groaned in embarrassment at not being able to control his stutter.
"Aiz".
"Excuse me?"
"That is my name." Said the blonde, her face had shown no hint of emotions at any time. "Call me Aiz, everyone does."
Bell's face surprisingly could have turned redder. "A-Aiz-San... M-My name is Bell Cranel." She came out almost like a whisper. At this, a small curve appeared on the blonde's face, it was almost imperceptible and she would have missed it if he hadn't been attentive. Bell could only take that as a smile... 'She's beautiful...'
"Bell... that's your name right?" Aiz asked as impassive as she had been since the time she saved him. Bell wondered if someone as simple as him could ever make him smile. The thought of it warmed her heart, only for something to enter his head.
"Y-yes"
"I'm sorry". Something incredible for Bell happened at that moment, Aiz Wallenstein was apologizing to him! Wait, why was Aiz apologizing!
"Why are you apologizing to me!"
"The minotaur, it was my fault that he got to you. And also because of the tavern".
Bell looked at his hands and clenched his fists tightly, he didn't deserve those apologies, everything that happened to him was earned by himself. Even in the tavern only the truth was told.
"You shouldn't apologize! It was all my fault. I went down to the 5th floor when I wasn't ready and you saved me!... In the end, only the truth was told in the tavern." Bell cringed, thinking that she would apologize. That wasn't right, her heart wouldn't allow it. "Thank you very much for saving me."
"It isn't true"
"Huh?" Bell looked at her in disbelief.
Aiz did not change her stoic countenance at any time. "Against all odds you defeated a monster that surpassed you in all aspects, you are strong." Those were the longest words he had ever said and I can only make Bell blush."
It was nice but it wasn't enough, not until I can stand side by side with her as an equal.
"I'm just a rookie... I wish to be stronger, but I'm a long way from reaching my goal."
"A rookie."
Bell could only nod as he scratched the back of his head.
"Then I'll teach you"
Silence fell over Bell.
"I can teach you to fight."
Bell was as quiet as the grave.
The only thing he could formulate was. "Yeah".
At his answer Aiz nodded with a smile. Bell blushed like never before at this. She is beautiful!
With his feelings on fire he remembered something, he didn't know where it was.
"Aiz-san. Where am I, how did I get here? And... where is my goddess?
"... We are-"
"I will answer your questions!" Entering the room, a woman with red hair and the eyes of a fox walked in with a sly smile. What Bell instantly registered was: A goddess. "How long, right? Rabbit Boy."
"Huh?" Bell didn't understand anything.
"What are you doing here... Loki."
Aiz's words were ignored as Loki stood in front of Bell, she tilted her head from right to left like a wall clock, her gaze locked into Bell's eyes.
"Hum, no doubt... It's the same face, but something is wrong" Loki said to the confusion of Bell and Aiz. Loki narrowed his eyes, remembering the boy who arrived a couple of weeks ago to join the family... but, although the ruby eyes were the same, the gaze had a difference in intensity, these eyes are not that sharp. "Kid, do you happen to have any family members that look like you? You know, white hair and red eyes."
Bell blinked in confusion, as he... there's only one person besides him like this.
"I think he's talking about my twin brother." Bell recalled her saying, 'How long?' Did they already know each other?
"A twin, I remember him mentioning something about a brother now that I think about it." And to think that brother defeated a Silver Back when two weeks ago they didn't even have a family.
Damn it, Finn. Because of you we lost some good ones! Then he would throw it in his face for being an idiot.
"Do you know my brother? Loki-sama."
Loki chuckled before shrugging. "It's not like I know him. A few weeks ago he came here to join the family and that's it.
"Wh-what... But."
Why never told him.
"Hey guy. Do you want to join my family?"
The question left Bell frozen, the white-haired boy's hands gripped the sheets tightly. Meanwhile, the corners of Bell's mouth parted slightly.
"I don't understand".
"I offer you to leave the dwarf and join my family."
Bell's fists clenched harder. Going with the Loki family... one of the most powerful in the entire continent, people would kill for this opportunity. If he did, he could be with Aiz Wallenstein.
"And that offer also extends to your brother"
'I don't know what situation you're in, but I know you can do it, I believe in you Bell'
A doubt arose in him, what happened to his brother. Somehow he got there and is with his goddess? No, that wasn't possible, apparently the goddess Loki doesn't know Tim and as far as you know, Hestia-sama was still unconscious.
--Tim, are you there? --... --Tim--
With no answer, was Tim asleep? Bell looked out the window, it wasn't completely dark yet, that wasn't possible. Then he remembered the blow that knocked him out, the Silver Back had never hurt him that much.
So... The damage came from Timer's side.
Bell's eyes widened in concern, Tim never received a status update since he escaped to the dungeon, his brother and Hestia-sama never met long enough for him to update his status.
What did Tim find that caused him to suffer that damage?
He put that aside for a moment and returned to Loki-sama's offer.
Even Tim could come... alone, he felt so bad.
'You are weak, come back when you are stronger'
'You don't have what it takes'
"Go back to the little town you came from, farmer."
Oh yeah. That's why. Those and many more things were repeated over and over again in her head. Now if she wanted it, not when she had nothing, not when she fell into despair. Only one goddess was there.
"NO, THANKS!".
Loki raised an almost exasperated eyebrow. "An instant reply without consulting your brother, shouldn't you give it more thought?"
"I understand my brother better than anyone in this world. We Cranels will never forsake the goddess who reached out for her when no one else did."
"GRRR! The dwarf meddles in my business even on this earthly plane! Ahh! Comfort me, Aiz-Chan!"
The goddess lunged at Aiz who just dodged her, Bell could have guessed, but there was disappointment in her eyes. No, that was not possible.
"Bell-kun!"
Bell smiled at the voice that swirled through the door. Her eyes met instantly, brushing past the women present she flung herself at Bell.
"Hestia-sama...". Bell could only sink into the embrace, deep relief spreading through his entire body.
"They told me you were hurt… But I don't understand, they said one moment you were fine and the next you collapsed on the ground with broken ribs. But the monster never hurt you that much, so…" Hestia's eyes widened in understanding, Bell had a worried look on her face and she could only nod. "No..."
Loki wasn't able to understand anything, maybe if Finn were here he could deduce the conversation. It was missing a piece to complete the pattern, the wound that appears out of nowhere. Only that was able to extract. Aiz for her part just looked at the ground lost in her thoughts.
Hestia quickly got down and looked at Loki. "Shrimp..."
"Dwarf"
Hestia shifted uncomfortably, as if she was about to commit the most disgusting act thinkable. "...Could you take care of me Bell for today?" With resigned eyes she could only put her children in front of her. It was humiliating to have to turn to Loki for help, but it was the right thing to do, Timer could be worse than Bell if the damage spread was higher on him than Bell's. Even updating his status would help in recovery.
Loki was silent for a moment, his gaze totally blank, for a moment his shoulders trembled and then he laughed uncontrollably. "To think that the busty dwarf would ask me for help. Bahahha." The goddess held her sides to control her laughter, just seeing how low she stooped was some compensation.
"Please," Hestia said with an implacable look.
"Yes Yes. Go and do what you want. Anyway, we would have to take care of him since we brought him here." Hestia's eyes looked at Loki gratefully, the goddess of lies enjoyed that embarrassed look she had, she sneered before saying. "But remember, shrimp. The only reason you guys got here and you weren't left withDian Cecht is because Aiz here insisted so much."
"Just tell me what you want, Loki."
"I won't ask you for anything, just remember that you owe my family a favor and believe me, at some point I will ask for it."
"Good".
.
.
.
Timer had already been awake for a while looking at the ceiling. The impact of the door made him turn towards it.
"Timer-kun!!"
The figure of his goddess entered his field of vision. She was here, was she supposed to be with the Loki family?
He looked her up and down in search of injuries, everything seemed to be in order, unconsciously he let out a sigh that he didn't know he was holding. Her goddess had a worried look on her face, he bowed slightly to greet her.
"Hes-. Gah!"
The goddess's body crashed into his side. Hestia's eyes widened as she realized what she did. "Oh, sorry Timer-kun, I forgot you're hurt." Hestia slowly withdrew, then sat up on the bed.
Timer made a face. Wrinkling his brow he said, "Okay, I'm getting better already..."
Hestia looked at him from head to toe and swallowed hard. He wasn't wearing a shirt, his entire torso was covered in bandages, on one side of the bed were several vials that could only be healing potions. His vision began to blur, unable to avoid tears peeking out of his eyes. "I'm very sorry, they already told me what happened, if I had updated your status you wouldn't be like this." Hestia couldn't take it anymore she cried openly.
He got nervous, then waved his hands and tried to stop her. "I waited, this is my fault, I lost because... because I wasn't strong enough."
"Exact!" Said the Goddess
She knew that this was her fault and her fault alone, if she had done the same as with Bell and updated his status he could have gotten out safely. She likewise jumped on Bell's stats when she fought the monster she was more than sure Timer could have dealt with the monster without a problem had he updated his status.
But no, you silly lazy goddess. Dump dump!
The goddess stood up violently on the bed, her finger pointed towards herself. "If I weren't an irresponsible goddess, the situation would be different... I'm really sorry." She can only lower her head in shame.
"I don't understand" he said confused. "There was nothing you would have done to help me."
She felt a stab of pain. "Because you don't understand! Silly!" Hestia began to furiously jump on the bed. "If I had updated you would have won, my job is to help them become stronger and I still couldn't be there for you"
"But-"
"I'm so sorry, Timer-kun" The goddess slowly approached and hugged him.
He froze, how should he act now? His pathetic performance was embarrassing, he didn't deserve to be comforted. "I..." Timer decided not to say anything, he simply returned the hug and let his head fall on his shoulder. It was relaxing for him, it helped clear his head. Timer's arms tightened.
"Timer-Kun?..."
hic*
Timer's eyes widened at the moisture on his cheeks. Not noticing the itch behind his eyes he had started to cry.
How could he be crying?
He wasn't the one who should cry, he was the older brother, who comforted Bell in his tears. I don't know how things were supposed to be.
"Timer-kun" The goddess loosened her arms and leaned back breaking the embrace. She smiled slightly, remembering her relationship with her brothers she realized something about her, while Bell had opened up to her almost instantly, it wasn't the same with Timer.
The quieter brother was considerably more withdrawn, bordering on the point of being aloof. Hestia wondered over and over again if she would eventually open up the same way she does with Bell.
Maybe it wasn't the same, but it was definitely progress.
"Y-yes"
In his head X53 cursed for his hesitation, in two days he had hesitated more when speaking than in his entire current life.
First for Mama-Mia, and now for her goddess. With that in mind, what could be the connection they both had to achieve that effect on him? how absurd
"I have a gift for you". The goddess's smile only grew wider.
Maybe it was because of the sweet voice how he spoke? No, that wasn't possible, Mama-Mia's voice wasn't particularly sweet and she still managed to make him nervous.
"A gift?" she asked herself curiously.
"That's right, wait here"
Before he could ask more, Hestia ran out. He didn't have to wait long, a moment later the little goddess entered with an object wrapped in cloth.
"What's that?" He, still wounded, could not get up, from his position he could only wait for his goddess to tell him what he was bringing.
"Guess, Timer-kun, guess." With a childish voice the goddess smiled widely.
Timer sighed as usual, he could play along "Uh...food?" He said the first thing that came to mind, and he was no doubt hungry. The last time he had eaten was breakfast, the absence of light told him that it was already night.
Right, it was sensible to think about food at this point.
"...It would be good for you... but no. Forget that, I'll show you."
The goddess's hands unwrapped the object, when she unwrapped the cloth there was a knife. A totally white knife, from the handle to the tip of that color. Completely straight, without any curvature, and despite not knowing anything about blacksmithing, it was clear that this was a wonderful work of art.
"A knife" He said, it was certainly a strange knife, was the white one necessary? He couldn't say, but he didn't care, it was a gift, he would treasure it anyway.
"Could you sound more upbeat you know?" The goddess chided.
Taking the hilt with her hands, the goddess extended it to her son. Timer took it slowly, looking around the knife, he noticed that a symbol was engraved on its sheath.
"Ephaistos..." He muttered before his eyes widened. "Where did you get this from?" Timer could only look on in surprise.
"If you would at least say it as if he hadn't stolen it that would be nice." She pouted. Okay, she might be poor and her family was, but don't she dare think that she stole it from him. "How rude, Timer-kun. Hump!" Hestia snorted looking away.
"My apologies. That was not my intention, but where did you get this knife? Any item, no matter what, as long as it bears the mark of the Hephaestus family is going to be incredibly expensive."
I didn't want to insult him in any way, but finding meaning in things was his way of being. The Hestia family, his family, didn't have the resources to finance this, that's why he asked, his goddess could have gotten into trouble acquiring the knife. "So where did she get this from?"
'Of course Timer-kun would ask.' thought the goddess.
That didn't happen with Bell, he could be quite easy to convince, and considering the situation he couldn't question either. Now, however, he had to find a reasonable excuse or tell the truth. "...It was made at my request by a friend, they are twin knives, just like you and Bell."
Timer didn't believe him, but decided to drop the subject for now. Such an expensive gift... he'll have to worry about that later, he hoped it wouldn't be a problem, who knows what his Goddess had to trade for two knives of no less than first class.
"Twin knives?"
Hestia smirked, "Yes, yours is white and Bell-kun's is black, I have no idea why the color, but he thinks it's so they'll remember the other when they look at the dagger."
At his words I can't help but think that he said it as if he and Bell were in love. Disgusting. Timer's gaze fell on the dagger, with his hands he removed the scabbard, the dagger made a sound as it was wielded. Hestia's smile only stretched further.
"She is not beautiful?"
"I see"
"And it's not just to look at her, this dagger is linked with you, she will be as strong as you are and she will grow with you!"
Something so incredible that according to the words of his goddess it was leveled to his stats was simply incredible and therefore very expensive.
He looked at the goddess concerned, what if whoever gave it to him planned to take advantage of this? "Thank you very much, I really appreciate it. But seriously, where did you get this?"
If it was something so wonderful it must have a price, and much more if it has the mark of Hephaestus.
The goddess became nervous again, "He-he-he... I'll be back Timer-kun, rest."
And just as he came running, he ran away.
"I'm not exactly a fan of daggers, but this was a gift…and one that may or may not be very expensive for the family."
A sudden thought came to her mind, she said that Bell also had one, so it was two daggers. And if her guess is correct, a single dagger is going to be expensive, she has no idea what two daggers would be.
His hand went to his face, hit harder than he thought. "Bah, I'm not for this today." When she was about to turn around and go back to sleep, the door was opened again.
"Hmm... this, Timer-kun."
Timer turned his head up for Bell to see his goddess at the door again. She was approaching slowly with a needle in her hand.
Oh yeah, you probably want to update my status. "What is it, Hestia-sama" Timer said.
"Well, will there be a problem with me updating your status now?" she asked, tilting her head. "If your stats go up you will recover faster."
Timer nodded in agreement, seeing nothing wrong with that, "Sure, I'd like to."
"Good!" The goddess nearly yelled as she climbed onto the bed, "Turn around." Hestia said with a smile.
Letting out a breath, Timer rolled onto his stomach, his ribs clenching as they landed in that position. "Arg!, um... Could he not get on top of me today? Just this once."
The goddess gave him a pitying look before nodding, then she pricked her finger with the needle, the drop of blood from her finger fell on the boy's back and she also placed a blessing on the knife on the boy's back as she went. table to one side of the bed. With that fact she continued with work to later begin to trace her hands on the boy.
"And I thought Bell's leap of status was big..."
If Hestia remembered, she hadn't updated Timer's status since Bell escaped to the dungeon and came back injured. That time Timer couldn't come back, and a day later she left to make the twin weapons, no wonder her condition rose so much.
Name: Timer Cranel
Lv. 1
Race: Human
Age:14 years
•Strength: G 219 - D 509
• Resistance: I 84 - F 394
• Dexterity: G 258 - D 538
•Agility: F 319 - C 621
•Magic: I0
Trembling eyes looked at the status sheet. "Ha~... I shouldn't be surprised anymore, you just raised close to 1000 points in a single leveling up." A resigned Hestia said. "Really… Soul Bound is such a tricky skill…"
She should get used to it, but she can't, in a single update she just did what would take normal people months.
How unfair for them, but hey, good for my family
"...The upgrade leveled me up with Bell's stats, right?" Timer said. "It was only 5 days... How did he get so big?"
"I would like to know too, Timer-kun… Me too."
There was no explanation for this rapid growth in Bell's statistics. Soul Bound couldn't be this wonderful. It was already something incredible that his state was matched with Bell's. But how to make it grow faster?
Soul Bound was that amazing.
That was the conclusion he could come to, it was the only explanation, he had been left out of the dungeon for several days, Bell was the one who was constantly going every day. How not to climb so much if he almost killed himself in there.
"For the most part, it's stats that Bell-kun raised, except for your stamina which is almost 300 points higher than Bell's last update." He said to himself as he took the paper from her hands. "The monster hit you pretty hard."
"Yeah..." Timer didn't know what to think, the monster's blow could have made him top the stats by just a bit. But as much as getting 300 points ahead? No wonder he felt like his ribcage was ripped apart.
Hestia smiled before shaking her hair. "Cheer up, tomorrow you should be able to stand up." As she got up she stretched her back. "Ah, have a good night, I'm going to sleep, I'm exhausted"
Timer smiled slightly as the goddess walked out the door, "Thank you for the knife, and for everything."
The goddess's smile grew bigger, "Hehehe, you're welcome! And if you want to come, I'll go to the Loki family tomorrow to see Bell."
"That would be nice.
Timerhe looked towards the door as the goddess left. She lay back down while she thought about the events of the day, the new plan for the next 2 days would be to rest, and maybe look for the girl and apologize for being useless.
But once healed, he would take his profession seriously, no matter how much it takes, he would work on his skills. Whatever the cost, this situation can't go on like this, he can't leave all the heavy lifting to Bell.
With that in mind his mind returned to the world of dreams.
¥¥¥¥
He spent a whole day where he had to be bedridden without being able to do any kind of physical exertion, not that he intended to do it anyway, his chest still hurt when he moved too much, but the status update helped him in ways that I couldn't understand.
The girls visited him, some like Anya and Chloe joking about his situation. Again, they're too confident to have been here a couple of days. Ryuu and Lunor were more pleasant and respectful, Syr continued with her usual joking attitude.
Hestia-sama arrived early to say that Bell was already in the church, apparently he managed to recover ahead of schedule.So after talking a bit she also left.
Lying in bed all day was boring but manageable, although she didn't think she would last another day. At the end of the day, when he was about to close his eyes, a voice was heard in his head. Instantly a small smile appeared on his face.
--Tim, are you there? --
--Here--
--Are you okay? Do you need me to change the percentage of damage in your favor? --
"Not just..." Timer felt like much of the pain in his chest was gone. --You already did--
--Well... I'm almost cured so...--
--You don't have to do that nonsense, the wound comes from me, I have to carry that on my back--
"You took the damage when I escaped from the dungeon. I owe".
"Tch, good."
"Hey Tim, did you know the goddess Loki?"
"...Weeks ago I wanted to join, but it was the same day that Hestia-sama accepted us into her family." Timer recalled that day, Bell was so desperate that he had to deal with the big families himself. "What's the topic?"
"You just wanted to know why you never told me and… She offered us to join her family today."
"It never mattered, did it? I imagine you rejected it on the spot."
"We were invited to the most powerful family in Orario, Tim. Aren't you surprised!?"
"They are only people, after all, what does it matter"
"You're crazy".
"Yes, Bell, who knows."
"Hey, Aiz Wallenstein offered to teach me how to fight."
Wow"
--YEAH...--
--Will your weak heart be able to bear it? --
--Don't know--
And just like now. They talked for a couple of hours until the end of the day.
.
.
.
By the second day I was already on my feet, there was a discomfort in my chest, but it was already manageable. Stretching slightly, she suppressed a groan of pain, she quickly put on her uniform and went downstairs.
Going down the stairs he met Anya, who was sweeping.
"Oh, Ruby! So you gave up being lazy and finally came to work, it's about time." The cat nodded approvingly up and down.
Timer stifled a sigh as he shook his head. "As nice as ever, Anya. Good morning."
He greeted before continuing towards the bar, he met some of the workers and after a quick greeting he continued on his way.
The woman, like every day, was busy. Her hands moving barrels of what appeared to be wine.
"Boy, don't you think it's too soon to go back to work?"
He said as he looked the boy up and down, then shrugged and continued walking.
"I think by tomorrow I could be fully recovered."
"Even for an adventurer, your recovery was too fast" Mia narrowed her eyes.
It could be true, a day for squashed ribs was too fast. The only thing that came to mind is Bell moving the Equity percentages towards him.
How convenient.
"Changing the subject. I don't remember if I mentioned it to you, but you know you have to pay me for the treatment right?"
"Have I?"
"Did you expect the options we used saving your ass to be free? I'm afraid not, boy. You're going to pay me for that too, work harder from now on." Mine said.
"I... Can I keep going interspersing my work to go with my brother?" In truth he wanted to go to Bell, he was probably already out of the Loki family, but he wanted to make sure."
"That's your business, today you wash the dishes and serve food, in the afternoon I'll teach you how to cook." The dwarf said with a growl. "Tomorrow you can see if you go with your brother or stay here. It's your decision anyway.
"B-but I wanted to go today-"
"Are you protesting?" The tone in Mia was different this time.
"No..."
Mia nodded, the woman put a hand to her chin and said, "You look looser."
timer blinked"And what does that mean."
The woman snorted before continuing with her work. "interpret itwhatever you want"
After that brief conversation, he did what was ordered, washing the dishes in the morning was easy, the problem came in the afternoon and at night. Those hours where you constantly needed to use the plates, cutlery and everything you needed.
Another thing was that he was getting weirdly good at serving food, especially among the women. And while he didn't have Bell's innocent appearance, he did have his own face, so in some way he may or may not have had an influence.
The biggest problem came when the cooking classes started.
Mama-Mia was unfazed with her hands on her hips as she frowned. With her right hand she took a knife and extended it towards Timer.
Inevitably, he trembled when Mama-Mia pointed the knife at him, it seemed that this strange feeling had not gone away.
"Do you remember that I told you that you looked looser" she mentioned.
Timer nodded affirmatively.
"Well, I take it back. Prepare your best dish, I'll evaluate you on that."
Without being told twice, Timer was already moving in the kitchen, 30 minutes later a meatloaf was on the table.
Mama-Mia picked up a fork as she slowly brought a piece to her mouth, so slow it made Timer's heart pound like a drum.
boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom! (Behold, high-budget special effects... Hahaha)
She began to chew while closing her eyes, as a result, the black-haired man was sweating uncontrollably from his forehead.
boom
boom
boom
boom
She swallowed the food and looked over at Timer, who out of inertia swallowed. She opened her mouth to reply and said:
"It's not much, but it's passable, it's as good as anything you'd find in a regular restaurant.
"It's bi-" he started.
"But not in my Pub" He was quickly interrupted "Well, from today let's focus on improving everything, you barely use the spices correctly."
"Alright"
"And stop repeating the same phrase, kid. It's creepy."
That Mia was the one to tell him...This was not a good day for Timer.
.
.
.
After using the knife so much and trying again and again, Mama-Mía said that one of her dishes was acceptable to her.
So the lessons ended for today. They could have been around 5pm.
As he rested on top of the bar, a voice brought him out of his thoughts.
"Boy, Ryuu and Syr are going to buy groceries, go with them. Having a good for nothing doesn't help the morale of the workers." Pointing to Anya who was about to sit next to her, then meowed and went out to sweep again.
He nodded, then walked to the door to find Syr and Ryuu waiting outside.
"We have to hurry or Mama-Mia will scold us all." Syr said before continuing to walk. Ryu followed by her side, so he had to quicken her pace.
.
.
.
Almost 30 minutes later they were back towards the Hostess of fertility. Ryuu carried two bags, while Timer and Syr only carried 1.
Despite Timer's refusal, Ryuu said that he couldn't let an injured person make unnecessary efforts, something about his elven pride wouldn't allow it or something like that. So, against his will, he could only carry one bag.
Well, in the end it was good, since that's how he managed to see some cats while they were walking through one of the streets. He approached them slightly, making the cats look at him. It wasn't long before one approached, as he had done many times before, he dropped to his knees, reached out his hand, the cat sniffing it first and thus patting the kitten on the head.
Timer smiled gently, and his eyes were happy. Ryuu didn't say anything, nor did she try to continue walking, Syr thought she was adorable, if the only way to tell the twins apart by their eyes now was impossible. That behavior was closer to that of the childish Bell than Timer.
But just like Ryuu, she too fell silent, she too was hooked watching the scene in front of her.
Quite a cute scene until Syr leaned close to Ryuu's ear and said, "Don't you think it's like a cat playing with a rabbit?"
Ryuu slightly opened her eyes understanding what he meant, she hid a smile behind her hand as she nodded slightly. Timer with his white hair and red eyes... To an adventurer he was an Almiraj. A small smile spread across Ryuu's face as he thought about Syr's joke.
It was the opposite for Timer, who already noticed what he was doing. This situation has happened to him many times, so many jokes made by Bell and his grandfather... But it was inevitable, he liked cats and dogs and any furry animal and their ears and that they are fluffy...
Timer shook his head, realizing his thoughts.And being honest with yourself. He found Anya and Chloe's ears very attractive, never in a million years will he admit it to them. But he couldn't help it.
And besides, the only way anyone would ever find out is if Bell loosened his tongue, his silly brother would be damned if that information got out.
She stopped stroking the cat and looked warily at the girls. "Let's continue" Timer said, hiding his face with shame.
Syr covered her mouth to hide her laughter as she was about to continue walking, Ryuu hiding her expression better making it inconspicuous.
When he was about to get up, a girl of at least 8 years old passed by on the street. No, looking at her closely, those features were a bit mature, possibly a Hobbit.
He was about to ignore her and get up until the white knife located in his uniform pocket began to vibrate. Taking it in her hand, she observed how it shone, just after a glow arose in the girl's left hand.
'Of course it had to be you, Bell'. she thought furiously
Timer moved towards the girl, not noticing that Ryuu was about to say something. His right hand lifted the Hobbit's left hand causing the girl's entire body to hang in the air.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise, for a moment she stared at his face before opening her eyes in fear.
"M-Mr. Bell..." A small voice, a voice filled with fear echoed in the alley where they were. "W- What are you doing! Let go of me, you're hurting me!"
"Timer-san?!" Syr yelled not to be heard.
Timer didn't answer him, instead, he tightened his grip on his hand, causing him to squeal in pain and let go of what he had in his hand.
"Mistake". Timer said. Now it was clear, this girl knew her brother.
His gaze fixed on the knife on the ground and there it was, a pitch black knife with runes etched into it, strangely the knife seemed to have lost its shine, as if the life had been taken from it.
"Believe me, you'll wish my silly brother was in my place." His eyes flashed dangerously. "Now you little rat. I'll let you go if you tell me where you got that knife from."
"...I-I found it near a sewer-"
A lie.
Timer tightened his grip. Given the recent upgrade from him, his strength had increased. If he wanted to he could break her wrist right now. Winning was not lacking.
"Ugh! It hurts!"
"You lie, little rat."
"No! The knife is mine!"
"Look at me, tell me your name and the name of your family if you have one." Timer said, his voice sounding more and more sinister. Ryuu watched carefully, this was not the boy she had known, this was not the calm and respectful boy she had been. she wasn't bothered by the taunts they made her. Now she had the look she once put on the members of Evilus and their benefactors. Many things were wrong with that look,
Syr, for her part, looked fascinated at what was happening in front of her, the change in color had never been so fast. Such a sudden change in her personality must be for something.That knife meant a lot to him.
Syr crouched down and passed the knife to Timer, as she handed it to the black-haired man, as if it were magic, and it probably was, the knife regained its vitality.
The Hobbit watched in astonishment as the knife regained its edge. She then looked away, refusing to look at her face.
"I said look at me" This time his voice sounded different, as if the voice were double and ethereal, as if two people were speaking at the same time.
Her body trembling with fear, the girl looked up at him. She shuddered to see that the iris in her eyes had changed, taking an elongated shape like a snake's.
His entire body, including the false tail bristled, his instincts screaming at him in fear.As if her body was screaming that she must obey, she spoke.
"I-I'm Liliruca Arde!, F-family... Soma."
Only she could see him, he had his back to the two women. Only she could see those terrifying red eyes.
"I'm Timer Cranel, little rat. And now... what am I going to do with you? Cheating and betraying Bell's trust has a price... that I'm going to collect."
'The innocent adventurer'. Lily thought.
Hurting good people does bring consequences, I just hope it doesn't hit me too hard. She was unable to defend herself, the two women did not make an effort to move. They must be known to him, why would they help a pathetic support?
There was no way to escape, the force with which he held his wrist was too much for it to be that of a normal person. Just like Mr. Bell he must be an adventurer.
An adventurer, ha ha ha. The reason for all my misfortunes
She was laughing to keep from crying, maybe if she curled up she wouldn't hit her in the stomach too hard.
This boy was perhaps at Mr. Bell's level and she didn't want to think about a blow he would do to her, if those monsters agonized from the white-haired's force, what would happen to her?
"No, you just messed with my family. You committed an even bigger sin, it wasn't just any knife from the guild that you stole. This knife is the gift of my goddess, the same goddess that I and my brother adore. You stole a treasure of my family".
Lili is transfixed by those viper red eyes that seemed to look into her soul. So similar to Mr. Bell and so different at the same time, like two sides of a coin.
'I get what I deserve, I guess.' she wailed.
"Now, now- Hmmm"
Lily saw how the boy closed his eyes before opening them again, when he was about to kick to escape, the white-haired boy moved his gaze in the direction of the women.
He didn't say anything, just looked in that direction. She took a better look at his face and noticed that her terrifying eyes were gone, instead, two Ruby eyes like Mr. Bell's were replaced.
A flash was seen in the direction of the road, so that after a body entered her field of vision, all she managed to do was bow her head in shame.
Bell Cranel was running in her direction.
The women noticed and were surprised to see him, how lucky he was to show up here of all places.
The white-haired boy arrived agitated as he watched and scanned Timer's entire body.
To which the scary white-haired man reached into his pocket and pulled out the black knife before handing it to him.
Right after, Bell noticed the girl who was hanging in the air. She was so familiar, yet different.
Lily now noticed the great resemblance and at the same time the great difference in the twins, while Bell was the innocent, kind and gentle twin. Timer was the cold and ruthless twin.
Lily may not have been right, but she had seen Timer's cruel side. And that was the only way she knew him.
"Lily?...Tim, what's going on? Why are you holding her like this? Tim.
"..."
The girl said nothing.
"What's happening, is that the little girl here stole your knife." Timer sneered with no intention of hiding anything about what was going on. "I'm disappointed, silly brother."
Bell looked as if he had been hit "...D-Did you really do it? Lily."
Whether out of embarrassment or not, she just lowered her head.
moments agoTimer couldn't have been more willing to figure this out himself, but he felt like a thread telling him where Bell was, this was how he contacted Synesthesia and led him to this little-traveled alley.
"I'm going to take you to the Ganesha Family, maybe some time in prison will change your mind about stealing."
Lily's eyes widened in terror.
He could take the beating, it wouldn't be the first time. Be that as it may, it would pass in a few days, but if they took her to the Ganesha family they could ban her from entering the Dungeon or worse... if they talked to the god Soma...
"I'm sorry! Please don't take me there. I beg you Mr. Bell." Lily had started tearing up, real or not. She was affecting Bell, who clenched her fist tightly.
"Tim..."
Timer knew what was about to happen."No" He was curt
"T-"
"She stole one of the knives Hestia-sama gave us."
Bell closed her eyes as she looked away.
"I know, but please let her go, I'll take care of it."
"..."
"Please Tim."
"Tch! Fine, but I'll tell Hestia-sama about this"
Saying that, Timer moved his arm to the side and dropped her abruptly to the ground.
"That was not necessary."Bell looked at him reproachfully, but knew it would have no effect on him. His brother always had that way of thinking. He 'he messed with the family'. This is how he must be thinking now.
His brother was like that. He loved his family and that was the most important thing to him...
Lily must have run, her instincts screaming at her to leave and never communicate with these brothers again. But she didn't get it, not after Mr. Bell had helped her.
Timer turned on his heel before turning back to the girls who were looking at him in surprise.
"Something happened?" She asked her with her usual calm.
"Well, today I found out that joking around with you might not be the best" Syr said, smiling nervously. "But of course, then I would just have to bring Bell-san and your attitude would calm down."
"... One way or the other."
"Either way, I think Cranel-san handled the situation well" Ryuu said. "If she was in her place, I would have been more violent."
"I can't imagine that situation, you are always so calm..."
"The same could be said of you. Right, Timer-San" she mentioned wryly.
"I'd rather they forget about this, I got angrier than I thought I would."
"Let's change the subject then. Hmm, what are you supposed to tell us when we get back half an hour late, Mama-Mia."
Both Ryuu and Timer stopped short and widened their eyes.
"Shit" Timer said before walking faster.
"Yes, there is no hope for us." Syr said cruelly as he ran to Timer's side.
"Hurry up" Ryuu said as he passed like a blur in front of them.
Now his mind only had one thing clear, make Bell see reason. He only had one thing clear, he didn't give second chances, if Liliruca crossed the line... then his brother couldn't stop him.
Bell's status increased when he recovered from going to the brig at night.
Name: Bell Cranel
Lv. 1
Race: Human
Age:14 years
•Force: G 219 - F 318
• Stamina: I 84 - I 90 (Stamina did not increase due to Timer taking the wounds).
• Dexterity: G 258 - F 351
•Agility: F319- F 407
•Magic: I0
Update when he took on the Silverback.
Name: Bell Cranel
Lv. 1
Race: Human
Age:14 years
•Strength: F 318 - D 506
•Stamina: I 90 - I 188
• Dexterity: F 351 - D 531
•Agility: E 407- C 606
•Magic: I0
Timer leveling to Bell state.
Name: Bell Cranel
Lv. 1
Race: Human
Age:14 years
•Strength: G 219 - D 509
• Resistance: I 84 - F 394
• Dexterity: G 258 - D 538
•Agility: F 319 - C 621
•Magic: I0
Thank you for reading.
And don't forget to leave a comment if you liked the reading and want me to continue.