Bill's Goddess Adventure
A: Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon Story
Chapter 2
Hera walked confidently as she entered a large tower
'It'll be nice to see my daughter again.' she smiled
She had the sword wrapped up in a cloth, and stood in the elevator as she was brought to the top floor. As she passed members of the Familia, they bowed lightly
"Good evening. I'm here to see Hephaestus." Hera asked kindly.
"You don't have to go far then Mother." A kind voice spoke; it was Hephaestus, Hera's daughter. A slender figured woman with crimson red hair and a left crimson eye. Her right eye being covered by a black eye mask.
"Hephaestus." Hera smiled, hugging her "I have missed you."
"Father has been asking about you." Hephaestus frowned lightly
"I imagine he has...I'm sorry to intrude but, I must ask something of you." Hera asked
"What is wrong?" She frowned
"This sword." Hera produced it
"Rusted and broken...who had this?" Hephaestus asked examining it
"My Familia: Bill." Hera smiled
"Really? You have Familia now? Congratulations." Hephaestus smiled
"Thank you daughter. Well...can you fix the sword?" Hera asked kindly
"Hmm...Iron-Forged Steel...Deer-Leather Grip...must be...fifty years old...overused...snapped into a dagger fashion..." Hephaestus spoke examining the blade, being the Smith Goddess there was no-one better to examine a weapon and she knew how the weapon was made, what materials were used and which methods and whetstones were used into the craft. "This is a relic...I'm not even sure how it's lasted THIS long."
"Can. You. Fix. It?" Hera repeated, frowning
Hephaestus didn't answer straight away but smiled "What type of Smith Goddess would I be if I couldn't fix it?"
"And make it better?" Hera asked hopefully
"Lady Hephaestus, if I may interject: why are you helping this goddess with no Familia?" a green haired boy spoke
"Because she's my mother. And if you insult my mother or her Familiar again Edward you'll be in trouble." Hephaestus answered harshly while still examining the blade. "I think I CAN make it better." she smiled
"Thank you." Hera smiled, hugging her daughter
"But...But Lady Hephaestus-" Edward tried to speak but was interrupted by a Hephaestus raising her forefinger to give silence.
"I'll have it done before the rise of dawn." Hephaestus smiled
"Thank you. How much do I owe you?"
"We'll work the payment out another day." Hephaestus answered
"Thank you Hephaestus. I will be back at sunrise." Hera nodded with a smile
As Hera left Hephaestus smiled as she examined the blade once again, but this time with a frown. 'This blade...' she stroked it softly
"Lady Hephaestus...you can't fix it...can you?" a girl spoke
"It's beyond repair...but what I CAN do...is make a better blade." Hephaestus answered "Ignite the forge, I've got seven hours."
"Yes Ma'am!" The members of her Familia called
'I won't fail you Mother.' Hephaestus thought, tightening her grip on the handle of the destroyed sword
*time skip*
"At last...the blade is ready..." Hephaestus sighed as she raised the blade from its final quenching and saw the engraving of it. The blade was made of a Mithril with Oricalcum alloy, it wasn't as long as the longsword that Bill used all his life but: the passion, the drive, the feel of the blade was made to synthesize with its spirit that Bill poured into it. It wasn't a longsword, but a short-sword made of one handed combat. Its handle was wrapped with Black-Dragon-hide, the hilt engraved with runes of power the pommel was styled as a diamond with an inserted Oricalcum crystal.
"Perfect." She smiled as a member of her Familia told her that Hera had arrived again
"Lady Hephaestus; your mother has arrived." the girl spoke
"Ha-ha...One thing about my mother: You can always count on her being punctual." Hephaestus smiled as she sheathed the blade. The scabbard was made of Elder-Deer hide, and inlaid with Mithril. Elder-Deer's are naturally a forest green in colour so there was no need to dye such perfect made leather.
With a smile she walked out of her workshop to meet her mother
"Hephaestus..." Hera smiled
"Mother, right on time; as per the norm." Hephaestus smiled and presented the blade "Here we are."
"Oh my goodness...is that...?" Hera examined the scabbard and hilt of the blade
"Elder-Deer hide inlaid with Mithril bindings. Black-Dragon-Hide binding, Oricalcum crystal and Mithril/Oricalcum alloy. Never needs to be sharpened and light as a feather and the leather never tarnishes. One of my best works." Hephaestus smiled
"It's beautiful." Hera nodded
"And it's your Familia's." Hephaestus reassured
"Well...for pieces like this...I market it as 150,000,000 Valis." Hephaestus answered
"A...A hundred and..." Hera gasped in total shock
"BUT..." Hephaestus added
"But...?" Hera asked in worry
"I'm going to give it to you for free. The spirit of the Familia you have is amazing...I felt his strength and determination." Hephaestus answered with a smile
"Hephaestus... You are an amazing daughter." She smiled, hugging her "And I am so glad you are mine."
"I'm glad I'm yours too mother." Hephaestus reciprocated the hug.
"Please. Do not tell Zeus I was here." Hera asked as she broke the hug slowly
"Promise." Hephaestus nodded "Daughter's-Mother's promise."
"Thank you. I will visit again when I can." Hera smiled "Is there anything special about this sword?"
"It never fail's the one its spirit is bound too." Hephaestus answered simply
"I see. I shall give it to him right away. I will see you again soon I hope." Hera smiled
"I agree. In fact, when your Familia is stronger, they could join some members of my Familia in a few raids at a later date." Hephaestus smiled
"That would be great." Hera nodded, leaving "I am sure he would love to!" And with that, Hera went down the elevator
"Are you sure that was wise Lady-Hephaestus? Sending a fortune within that sword as a gift for free?" a red haired man asked
"For my mother and helping her new Familia? Of course." She nodded
"Then I trust your judgement Lady-Hephaestus." the red haired man bowed respectfully.
*With Bill*
Bill stirred lightly in his sleep, it was nearing the start of the new day; and he felt a little hungry.
"BILL! I'M HOME!" Hera called happily as she entered
"Gah!"Bill anime dropped out of the bed "Ow...my head..."
"Oh sorry, but you have to see this!" Hera cheered
"What? What is it?" Bill asked shaking the sleep out of his eyes.
"Your new sword!" Hera answered
"My... What?!" He gasped, waking up completely
"Here!" Hera handed it to him.
Bill held the sword in his hands, his appendages shaking in excitement and worry. "M-My new sword...But...what about my old one?" Bill asked
"Hephaestus must've tried EVERYTHING she could. But that sword...it was too broken Bill." Hera apologised
"Strangely...this new one..." Bill closed his eyes and breathed slowly getting the feel of his new blade "It feels...like my old one, it feels...right." Bill answered as he slowly unsheathed the blade as it shone in the new dawn. "Oh my..." Bill gasped
"Mithril-Oricalcum alloy, the strongest combination of metals EVER!" Hera reassured him
"It's so light..." Bill commented getting the feel of it.
"It will be near perfect for you forever." Hera smiled, nodding
Bill smiled as he sheathed the sword back into its scabbard. "I'll treasure it forever. Thank you Lady-Hera." Bill smiled
"No problem...ready for breakfast?" Hera asked
"Starving." Bill clutched his stomach.
Hera chuckled, smiling as she started cooking
*Small time skip*
Bill was contemplating on which dungeon to go in next, true he had a powerful sword now, but he was still a low status adventurer this means he was still in danger in deeper levels of the dungeon.
"Hmm. I better speak to Kurumu." He sighed
"About what?" Hera asked
"I want to check how deep I should go." He nodded "And I wanted to see what she thought of my stats and new gear."
"That's a good idea. And try not to flash your new sword around, there're people who'd do anything to get their hand on that quality of blade." Hera answered
"... That sounds wrong." He muttered
"But it happens...take a sword...take a woman...it's all the same to some." Hera frowned, thinking back to Zeus.
"Oh Lady Hera. I'm sorry." He frowned, hugging her
"You're a diamond my boy...A diamond." She reciprocated the hug with a warm smile.
"Thank you." He smiled
"Well...now that we've finished let's go talk to Kurumu." Hera wiped her tear away.
"Okay." He nodded, wiping her tears away
As the two went into town Bill tried to keep his sword close by his side, unfortunately he didn't have a cloak to conceal it. So he just kept his left arm down covering the hilt...but it didn't help that the scabbard was exposed.
Luckily no one payed attention to them and they arrived at the Guild with no problem
Both Bill and Hera sighed in relief and they went up to the front desk hoping to find Kurumu.
"Can we speak to Kurumu please?" Bill asked
"Of course, one moment please. Please take a seat." the man behind the counter asked kindly
"Thank you." Hera nodded kindly.
"Bill? You okay?" Kurumu frowned as she walked over
"Yes, thank you Kurumu. We just thought we should keep you updated." Bill answered handing over his updated sheet to the guild woman. "And there's also more."
"Such as?" She asked while looking at the stats, impressed at the boost he did in one day
"This." Bill unbuckled his new sword and showed it to Kurumu. "My old one was beyond repair...but...this one has that same "spirit" as my old one."
"Oh my word...this blade...how did you manage to purchase it?" Kurumu examined the blade, being accustom of different weapons she was privy to all makes and models...but this...this was different, custom made to fit the spirit of its master, flawless in design and weight. It was forged for this new adventurer.
"My daughter made it for him." Hera smiled
"Good Gods..." Kurumu gasped in awe and sheathed his blade respectfully "You're very lucky Bill."
"Thank you Kurumu. I've got to ask: what level of dungeon can I venture down into?" Bill asked kindly
"Well that is a VERY high quality weapon! I'd say the fourth floor, maybe fifth. Even with THESE stats being fairly low." Kurumu smiled
"Thank you Kurumu." Bill smiled "But...I think I better start from the third floor; it'll help me get the feel for my blade."
"Smart. You wouldn't believe some adventurers who plunge head first into a deep level when they have powerful gear." Hera answered "Although they DO end up defeating the monsters through the floors leading TO those deeper levels."
"Well, I feel better with the practice." Bill admitted.
"Good luck Bill." Hera smiled happily
"Thank you Lady Hera. Thank you Kurumu." Bill nodded happily.
"Good luck Bill." Kurumu answered kindly.
Bill nodded, running off confidently
Bill headed straight to the third level; his bag contained the health potion from the previous encounter and one he had purchased a moment ago.
As he approached the third level he found himself in a forest like area...it was weird because the only light that was down here were from crystals.
But... This was weird. Forest floors shouldn't appear until the tenth or so floor.
"This...this isn't right...I thought I was in the third floor?" Bill thought to himself, he was at such a low status he would attract more aggressive enemies to attack him. His own short-sword wouldn't protect him if the animals are more dangerous and powerful.
Soon ants emerged from the ground, only about five or so
"Ants...again..." Bill groaned "Well...let's see how strong you are." Bill got into position and the ants lunged at him and with a single swing Bill cleaved off one of the mouth pincers of the ants with ease.
And spinning around, his momentum making his body flow easily as he stabbed another ant in the head
The screeches of the ants echoed through the dungeon, Bill's kills turned to smoke and their crystals dropped in front of him, almost thrice the size bigger than the crystals in the second floor. Bill smiled confidently and gripped his sword tightly and prepared to defend against the ants that remained, which were two.
Spinning his sword lightly he dodged their strikes, cutting them up. The crystals where still tiny, but he can make a LOT more. Maybe 1200 Valid if he was lucky!
"Wow...Lady Hephaestus, thank you." Bill smiled as he sheathed his blade as he began to collect crystals. "I best head back to find the right floor."
But as he went up the stairs... He found that he was at the entrance. He HAD been on the third floor!
"Whoa...I...was in the third floor." Bill gasped with a smile
"Then... What happened?" He muttered, trying to go back to the Dungeon... Before someone grabbed his shoulder
"Hey Rookie! Don't think you're above the rules!" He glared
"Who're you? Oof!" Bill was shoved into the wall, his head being knocked against an exposed stone.
"You left the Dungeon. You can't go back in for twelve hours and you have to rejoin the line." He snapped, pointing at the long line of Adventurers
"Ow...okay, okay...Sorry." Bill rubbed the back of his head.
"Rookies..." The man groaned
Bill glared lightly, walking away and muttering under his breath
"At least I've got some crystals." Bill thought to himself
"I was in there for 45 miniature max." He sighed in disappointment. He needed to go back in there in 12 hours. Luckily it was still early.
"Maybe I can get something from the shopping district." Bill thought
Well... He needed to exchange his crystals for money first
But Bill wasn't aware that someone was trailing him...Someone who made Bill a target.
Soon Bill arrived at the Guild, going to the counter
"Here we go." Bill handed over his crystals to the counter and the banker gave him 850 Valis.
"Thanks." Bill nodded and took the money.
As Bill left the Guild Hall he pocketed the money in his leather pouch, he kept his hands near both of them; what Hera and Kurumu said about thieves got him worried
He walked through the town, thinking of grabbing some better food
'Okay...Vegetables, some fruits...maybe?' Bill thought
But then he saw an elf girl being harassed in front of a pub, the girl being about 13 wearing a knee length red maid outfit with mid-back length orange hair in ponytail
"Where're you going pretty bird?" a Barbarian styled warrior asked lecherously
"I-I...Leave me alone!" the elf girl backed up
"Hey, hey, hey, hey!" Bill went over to the pub and came between the man and the elf
"Back off." Bill glared, pushing him back
"Well lookie here...a Rookie. Stay out of things that don't concern you kid." The barbarian answered
"From where I'M standing it seems you don't know the first thing about being a decent person." Bill answered with an intent glare
"All a matter of opinion..." The Barbarian snarled as he produced his two-handed Great-Axe. "Now...Be a good boy...and MOVE!"
"No." Bill stood his ground
"S-Sir, this isn't your fight." the elf girl spoke
"It may not be...but I couldn't live with myself if someone was being harassed like this." Bill answered
And he slammed his arm out, slamming the man in the balls with the bottom of his swords hilt
"Oof! Ah...haa...My...jewels..." the Barbarian squeaked as he fell to the floor.
"Come on let's go!" Bill pulled the elf along with him.
"B... But my shift!" She muttered
"Wait, you WORK there?" Bill deadpanned
"RARGH! Get back here Rookie!" the Barbarian roared
"It's my mothers, I'm a waitress!" She nodded "That guy caused a fight last week and was banned, I was asking him to leave!"
"Need a hand with this?" Bill asked
"I wouldn't say "no"." she answered
The Barbarian struck down with his mighty axe which Bill and the elf girl separate as to dodge the strike "I'll show you, why you don't hit my balls!"
"In my defence you WERE harassing her!" Bill answered pulling out his sword.
The Barbarian laughed. "That's an Ornate Sword! It'll look good in my Famila's wall!" he taunted
"Then try and claim it!" Bill answered readying his blade.
"My axe is Iron-Forged Steel! Your weapon will break like glass!" the Barbarian jeered
The two struck forward, Bill rolled out of the way as the axe made contact to the ground and he slashed a section of the pole and axe-head severing the weapon into three pieces.
The sight of the Barbarian's face could only be described as: frozen in a state of shock. The Barbarian fell back from losing his balance and slipped onto his back; Bill sheathed his blade, didn't say a word and walked over to the proprietor of the pub who was just as shocked as the Barbarian.
"Yes?" The older version of the elf girl he just helped asked
"Sorry for the inconveniences." Bill spoke kindly.
"You didn't do this." She shrugged
"Still...Have a good day Miss." Bill nodded respectfully.
"No! Come on in! After what you've done you deserve some free food!" The elf woman said
"Oh...thank you, thank you very much." Bill smiled and accepted it.
"Come on!" The 14 year old Elf girl smiled, grabbing his hand and pulling him inside
"Whoa!" Bill was pulled inside.
Inside the pub there were various people, humans, elves, dwarves and half-breeds; each having a drink and food, conversing with rivals. Music filled the air as the population of the pub were enjoying themselves; but that stopped when Bill walked through the door, it was silence...a very awkward silence. "Oh please don't stop on our account. Marcyl, continue." the landlady smiled
"Okay Mom!" She smiled
"So young man what's your drink?" the landlady asked
"Oh...I don't have one." Bill answered
"What would you like to eat!?" Marcyl asked
"Oh err..." Bill mumbled and asked "What can I get for 200 Valis?"
"Nothing." They both frowned
"The cheapest food is 500 Valid." The Landlady said
"But your meals free remember?" Marcyl added
"Oh yeah...I'll have the...deer steak and salad. Please." Bill asked kindly
"Of course." The girl nodded, writing if down and running off
"So...have you been in the city long?" the landlady asked
"Just a few days. I'm part of a Familia, so...I'm not a COMPLETE Rookie. Just a partial one." Bill joked
"Oh? Which one?" She asked, interested "You know, my oldest use to be an Adventurer."
"I'm with the Hera's Familia." Bill answered honestly and with pride.
And everyone in the pub turned to look at him
"...Did I...say something I wasn't supposed to?" Bill asked in worry.
"Lady Hera has NEVER had a Familia." The Landlady said seriously
"Well then; I'm the first." Bill smiled "Oh thank you." he appreciated the meal.
"You're in the Familia of that bitch?" A random patron frowned
"I...Beg your pardon?" Bill asked slowly, feeling insulted at the prospect of his Lady was called "That Bitch".
"I said: You're in the Familia of. That. Bitch?" the same patron asked
Each word made Bill rise in anger; he clenched his fist and just breathed slowly. He wasn't going to rise to him. "Yes. I am. And you do NOT have the right to call My Lady that."
"When she attacks Zeus, is rude to him and insults his Nobel Familia?" The man glared
"Maybe she just retaliates from the insults of YOUR Lord." Bill answered calmly
"As if he would attack her?!" He scoffed
"Attacking someone can mean a number of things." Bill answered
"Do you want to prove who the better Familia is?" the man snapped
"When I am a Familia of one and a new Adventurer? Wow, talk about a bully." Bill scoffed "Now can you go away, I want to eat."
"I don't have to take this!" the man slammed his fist into the table and drew his longsword "Put your blade where your cocky mouth is! I challenge you!"
But then the man yelled in pain as his arm was pulled behind his back, breaking his arm, and making him drop his blade
"I don't appreciate it...when people insult others in my mother's pub." an elf spoke seriously
"Cersei. You're home." the landlady smiled
The older elf, about 26, kicked the man in the back to the floor. She had short blue hair and yellow eyes
"Hello mother." Cersei smiled "Are you alright sir?"
"Yes...Thank you." Bill answered
"Sorry about him..." Cersei grabbed the rude patron and threw him out with a "bum's rush" "Can't really help drunkards."
"So... Err... Are you the oldest?" Bill asked nervously
"That's right...So...you're in Hera's Famila?" Cersei asked
Bill nodded nervously "Y-Yes...yes I am."
"Interesting." She nodded
"Err... Do... Do you have any tips?" Bill gulped
"Tips?"
"Yea. I'd be welcome to any you have." He nodded
"Oh if that's the case..." Cersei thought aloud.
Bill leaned forwards; wanting to make sure he heard every word
"... You learn them yourself." She said, making Bill fall from his chair in shock
"Didn't think it was THAT easy did you?" Cersei teased
"I... Honestly hoped so." He admitted
"Thank you." He nodded, smiling in understanding
"You're not dumb...good. You might survive in the long run." Cersei answered. "Now...where's my baby sister?"
"Cissy!" Marcyl cheered as she ran to her sister.
"Hello little girl." She smirked, hugging her "Did you get a growth spurt?"
"Yep, to whole inches!" Marcyl smiled
"Ah, that's my little sister." Cersei smiled
"Must be nice having a sibling." Bill sighed
"Yeah...well...it's challenging, but both were and are worth it." the landlady smiled
Bill gave a small nod then began to tuck into his meal.
'It's so good!' He thought happily
*time skip*
"Thanks for the meal!" Bill called as he left the pub
He hummed happily as he walked towards his home, one hand rubbing his stomach with a smile
'Oh man, wait till I tell Lady Hera...come to think of it I need to get dinner for tonight!' Bill thought
With a smile he looked through the different shops he tapped his chin in thought
'Okay 850 Valis...let's make them count.' Bill thought with determination
He slammed his hands together in confidence, smiling
To be continued
I hope you've enjoyed reading this chapter as we have writing it.
Please leave reviews for these stories they really help.
The next chapter coming up soon.
Thank you
