Bill's Goddess Adventure
A: Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon Story
Chapter 3
Back at the house Hera was waiting for Bill to come back with more shopping than they've had in the last few days.
"What happened?" She gasped, seeing the bags in his arms
"Well...turns out I'm quite the haggler." Bill chuckled
"Now, let's eat!" He smiled as the two started cooking
The two smiled, working side by side
"I can't believe you got this much. We'll eat well for a good while." Hera smiled
"Yea. At least three days, I think." Bill nodded "At most? A work week."
"So how far did you get into the dungeons? What did you defeat?" Hera asked anxiously
"Err...Ants...Giant ants." Bill admitted
"Basic enemies." She nodded
"Basically..." Bill nodded
"I guess that's all you could manage at the time." Hera answered
"I need to go back soon. I was barley down there for an hour." Bill explained "The floor was messed up. It was a forest. I thought I went too far down so I went back up and accidentally left."
"Ah...yeah. That floor always swings a curve ball." Hera understood. "It's one of those floors that changes inexplicably."
"I see. None of the books I read mentioned that." He frowned
"Well, it only started these last few weeks. A month at most." She admitted
"Guess that make's sense. I'm going to go deeper into that dungeon tomorrow." Bill planned
"I guess." She nodded
"There were people insulting you...I didn't like that." Bill admitted what happened earlier.
"I'm used to it." She admitted, shocking him
"What? But...I thought-" Bill spoke
"I understand how you might feel...but I've been called horrible things for most of my life." Hera answered "Because I am Zeus' 'bitter wife' who attacks his lovers and him when he cheats on me."
'If I was your husband I'd NEVER treat you like that...' Bill thought to himself.
But then he realised what he thought and his eyes widened
'WHY did I think that?!' Bill chastised himself
"Bill? Are you alright?" Hera asked kindly
"Fine! I...I'm fine..." Bill answered quickly then slowly. "But... Why do they all treat you like the bad guy?"
"I attacked, killed and transformed ALL of my husband's lovers into various objects and by different methods...and after Heracles...I just stopped caring. Zeus will ALWAYS father demi-gods...it's just his loins; but I've got my Hephaestus and others." Hera smiled
"I know but... Why does everyone keep calling you the bad guy when he keeps cheating on you?" Bill frowned "I don't get it."
"You have to understand: back then, men ruled. Their laws were made to keep women underfoot. And when a woman rebelled...they were painted as the bad guy; a prime example: Medusa." Hera admitted "Her only crime was unwanted beauty. And being raped by Poseidon...solidified that crime. She was raped inside Athena's temple and that girl...she was pissed. Medusa was raped and condemned for another's crime; and death soon followed in the form of Perseus...there was no justice for women back then. Not when we were labelled lower than cattle."
"But even now?" Bill asked "People know what is wrong now!"
"You're a wonderful boy Bill. But people lead through their Familia in their own way. I know it's not right...but people are entitled to their own opinions." Hera answered
"But it's not right!" He snapped lightly
"No...No it's not right...but one person CAN change the world...if you pursue it." Hera smiled
"I will." He frowned "I will show everyone the truth!"
"And when you do...maybe YOU'LL ascend to God-Hood." Hera smiled "And have a Familia of your own."
"Ascend to godhood?" He asked
"What? You thought all Gods were born this way?" Hera smiled "Sometimes when humans do such heroic deeds they become Gods themselves. Come on, let's have some dinner."
"Okay." He nodded, plating the food up and setting them on the table
"Don't you want a lot?" Hera asked
"No...I err...had something to eat earlier. I'm not THAT hungry." Bill admitted
"Okay." She nodded, sitting down as well and eating
"Hey, if I became a God what do you think I'd be the God of?" Bill asked curiously
"Well...that depends on the story you leave behind." Hera answered "Heracles became a god of overcoming great odds, strength and guardian of Olympus. Hermes was the Messenger God and King of thieves."
"I see." He nodded
"But for now, let's just have some dinner." Hera began to tuck in.
*Time skip*
Bill and Hera were now in bed, Bill's still unnamed sword was by his bedside, he had to think of a name for it. But the thing that Hera said: humans can become gods...Bill didn't care for that...He just wanted a story...a family.
He smiled at that thought, truly and honestly happily
He then looked at Hera, who was sleeping soundly dreaming away; he then looked at his sword...and chosen a name "Hera's Charm." Bill smiled and fell to sleep.
In the darkness the blade of the sword began to glow bright, words began to appear on it; bearing its new name: Hera's Charm.
It was written in gold elegant writing, sparkling lightly in the dim light for a second
As Bill slept there was a shadow that sneaked into their home and eyed the blade. The person swapped his blade with one made of iron-forge steel, a better than beginner's blade...but still weak compared to most powerful blades. 'This blade...is wasted on you.' The figure thought 'THIS sword is all you need.' And then left with Bill's sword.
*time skip-next morning*
Bill woke up first and rubbed his eyes; he looked around and felt something not quite right.
And looking at his sword, he knew what it was instantly
"NO!" Bill shouted waking Hera from her slumber
"What? What's happened?" Hera jerked up
"My sword! It's been stolen!" Bill held the steel sword in his hand as proof.
"But...WHO?" Hera asked
"Someone must've stolen it last night when we were asleep." Bill panted heavily.
"No." Hera muttered in shock, holding back her tears. Her daughter had done her best to make that sword for Bill
"I'm going to have to go into the earlier dungeons to fight with this." Bill sighed getting the feel of his replaced blade "Maybe I can get some answers from around the city."
"I know. I'll have to tell Hephaestus." Hera sighed
"I'm sorry Hera; I know how much this meant for us..." Bill frowned "I'm gonna keep my head down and grind through the dungeons."
"Don't beat yourself up Bill. It's not your fault." Hera commented
"I left my sword out in the open...It's MY responsibility." Bill answered
"You left the sword next to the bed. Someone broke in and NEITHER of us heard." She frowned, hugging him
"I'm gonna see if Cersei's mother has any leads." Bill thought aloud "Maybe I've got a rival from the other day. That WOULD explain it."
"No one should know where I live." She pointed out
"So it has to be someone who may have followed me...maybe overheard you? What's the last thing we did during the last day?" Bill asked
"Well... After I gave you the sword I stayed in and read." She nodded
"Okay...I went to the third floor for about an hour...an adventurer told me I couldn't return until 12 hours later." Bill recounted his steps "Traded in my crystals...then stopped a Barbarian from hurting an elven girl, I cleaved the Barbarian's axe into three pieces..."
"Impressive." Hera nodded
"Thank you; then I went in the pub...ordered a meal, some Zeus Familia insulted you...Cersei the landlady's daughter stopped them from fighting inside, I went to the market, made some deals and came back." Bill answered
"I see." she nodded
"I better get ready for the dungeons." Bill sighed and got his clothes on
"Good luck." she sighed, kissing his cheek motherly
'You know My Lady...you're making it awkward for me to like you...like a woman.' Bill thought "Thank you My Lady."
"You are welcome. I shall speak to Hephaestus." She nodded, grabbing her own stuff
"I'll see you later My Lady." Bill bowed and left with his bag and sword
"Stay safe..." Hera whispered
*With Bill*
Bill frowned as he walked toward the dungeon in anger
'I will NOT be a victim. I will redeem myself...I WILL get Hera's Charm back.' Bill thought as he headed off to the dungeons.
He walking and killing enemies as he walked, striking nonchalantly as he didn't notice the subtle white glow around him. He had unknowingly gained a skill, which was active and going on overdrive
The monsters roared at him, but his steel blade sliced through them like air cutting through trees.
After each monster he killed he reached down and picked up the small crystal they dropped
'My arm WILL be complete again...' Bill thought as he cleaved off the head of a giant ant that was stalking behind him.
'I will return Hera's gift! I will not fail her again!'
Bill collected the gems from the giant ant and put them in his bag. He still had his potions and his food that he packed away.
He stomped down the stairs, arriving at the fourth floor
'Fourth Floor...' Bill thought, his power still fluctuating around his being...and he saw someone he didn't want to see right at that moment; the Barbarian whom he confronted the previous night.
'The bastard.' He snarled
"Help! You bastards! Help me!" The Barbarian shouted in fear
Bill frowned, looking at what he was yelling about
"RARGH!" the Barbarian swung around his longsword, not as strong as the axe Bill broke the other day, but still as dangerous.
"ARGH! The Monster! HELP!" The Barbarian shouted as a bear sized creature appeared through the thick bracken and bushes
'... The hell is that thing?' Bill thought, but he charged anyway
The creature roared a deep rumbling growl; it shook the Barbarian to his bones, Bill as well but that didn't deter him.
He was charging and jumped at the last second, slashing the creature across the neck
The creature felt the blade slice its throat; turning its attention to Bill it ignored the quivering Barbarian who was in shock seeing this Rookie taking on such a creature.
"Come at me Beast." Bill spoke to the jagged fanged creature; it roared at him and leaped at least five paces towards Bill. But the Hera Familia slid under the belly of the creature and gutted it, it's blood and entrails falling to the floor, covering Bill in red.
And he slashed its crystal free, making it turn to ash. And a large bright purple crystal the size of his fist fell to the floor
"Y...You killed it..." The Barbarian answered. Bill just nodded, sat down to a boulder and began to wipe off the blood from him and his sword...though he's gonna have red hair for a little while till he got home.
"That... That thing was from floor nine!" He yelled in fear
"What's a floor nine creature doing up five floors higher?" Bill asked as this peaked his interest.
"Some... Some higher level adventurer must have ran from it and it chased him but they got away." The barbarian gulped
"Listen...I know...There's bad blood between us. But...neither of us are going to survive if any more of those things turn up." Bill offered
"No way man! I'm outta here!" The barbarian said, running away
The Barbarian left in such a hurry his backpack, damaged from the creature, fell loose and landed in front of Bill. It was filled with coins and potions.
"... He left me for dead? I'm keeping this." He frowned, grabbing it as the white aura faded and he felt very tired
"Damn...why...Man...What happened...?" Bill groaned as he rummaged through the newly acquired bag for some form of energy potion.
He chugged one, leaning against the wall tiredly
"Lady Hera...what is going on?" Bill sighed and almost fell asleep.
Luckily the potion stopped that, giving him his energy back slowly
"That feels better...Still weary..." Bill commented and heard the sounds of skittering around the caverns
He frowned, drawing his sword
'It's gonna be those sorts of days isn't it?' He thought breathing slowly and kept an eye and ear out around his surroundings
*with Hera*
"I hope Hephaestus is gonna understand. She worked so hard on his blade." Hera muttered as she arrived at the Hephaestus' home
'This is gonna suck...' Hera thought as she knocked on the door.
"Lady Hera? What brings you here?" a Hephaestus woman asked
"Hello, there's...something I need to tell my daughter." Hera explained slowly.
"Of course Ma'am. Right this way!" She bowed
"Thank you." Hera followed the girl
Inside the house Hephaestus was currently finishing up on a new Warhammer for her Familia. "And finished. One Enchanted-Forge Warhammer. Be careful with it Felix." Hephaestus smiled
"Thank you my lady." He bowed
"Hephaestus." Hera sighed as she entered the room
"Mother...what're you doing here? Not here for another free favour I imagine?" Hephaestus asked
"No...no it's much worse than that daughter." Hera answered "It's Bill's sword...it was stolen."
"What?!" She gasped
"Someone broke in while we were asleep... They took it. I'm so sorry." Hera sighed
"Oh...FUCK! FUCK!" Hephaestus groaned "Who...? HOW...? FUCK!"
"I don't know. I am sorry." Hera sighed "I am honestly confused as no one knows where I live."
"Did anyone follow you? Anyone listen in on...who's your Familia again? Bill, was it?" Hephaestus asked
"Not as far as know, no." Hera shook her head sadly
"Speaking of which...where IS Bill?" Hephaestus asked
"He's out grinding in dungeons." Hera answered
"Even after his sword was stolen?" Hephaestus frowned
"Well, whoever stole his sword...replace it with an Iron-Forge steel sword." Hera answered
"A sword like that...it's an insult...And a challenge." Hephaestus answered
"What do you mean?" Hera asked "I know Iron-Forge works are better than Stone-Forge works..."
"Iron-Forge made items are a Journeyman's level of weapons...and since the blade I gave him was made in a God-Forge...It's the most powerful make of weapon anyone can possess." Hephaestus explained
"So... Someone challenged him?" Hera asked
"Maybe...maybe they were just a thief looking for a powerful weapon and left an insulting message." Hephaestus answered "We COULD ask Hermes...he IS the King of Thieves."
"That...is a good idea. He DOES have ears in the Underworld...so to speak." Hera admitted
"And so does Hades." Hephaestus joked
"In light of the circumstances...I'll let that joke slide." Hera answered
But Hephaestus stopped, turning to glare at one of her Familia members
"Y-Yes Lady Hephaestus?" The member asked in worry
"I have one eye. My other, already sharp, senses are sharper to compensate. You froze when my mother mentioned the sword was stolen. You started sweating when the steel sword was mentioned. And you just got more and more nervous as we spoke. What are you hiding?" Hephaestus frowned
"I... I don't know what you are talking about." He muttered in fear, backing up
"I'm half-blind not half-stupid...do you KNOW what my mother can do if she is enraged?" Hephaestus asked
"I...heard something. The other night." The member answered
"WHAT did you hear?" Hera asked seriously
"Edward said that the new guy didn't deserve such a good weapon." He gulped
"Edward...? The...one who spoke out against Bill having his sword?" Hera asked
"Where is he?!" Hephaestus snarled
"I-I don't know! He's gone!" The member answered cowering in fear
"Darn it." Hephaestus snarled
"Maybe your wife could help?" Hera suggested
"Aphrodite? Hmm...I dunno. She might not want to." Hephaestus answered
"Why? Has something happened?" Hera asked worryingly
"...She's losing Familia. Someone is destroying her life, killing or making her familia quit...making her lose family, I'm doing what I can but...I don't think I'm enough." Hephaestus answered
"Would you like me to speak to her?" Hera asked
"Please...Just so she knows...she's not alone." Hephaestus nodded
"I will. And we should keep an eye out for that Edward." Hera nodded
"I'll do MORE than keep my eye out mother." Hephaestus answered seriously
"I know you will." Hera left, heading to Aphrodite's home.
After hugging her daughter and leaving the tower, she walked through the town to try and into the home of the Aphrodite Familia
*with Bill*
Bill had arrived to the last section of the fifth floor, he had only three healing potions left, he was running on fumes...and he was currently killing a beetle like creature; his heart was pounding, sweat and blood were covering his eyes, his hands were throbbing from gripping his sword for hours on end and his feet were now feeling like hardened leather.
So after he killed this monster, he would head out of the Dungeon. He would see Kurumu, go home and try and sleep.
The beast "dug" forward bearing its sabre like pincers at Bill, but he didn't deter...Bill leaped up and stabbed the animal in its beady eyes, burying his sword into its brain. The crystal that fell was the size of a large fist; creatures here...had rich drops.
"Wow... Oh god this is crazy." Bill sighed, walking towards the stairs "Hopefully... This will be easy."
Bill stepped slowly to the stairs, his bags full with crystals, and he had NO idea how high his stats have gone, or they might've gone down since he was pushing himself so hard. As he met the stairs, he was safe. At least that's what he thought, he noticed the adventurer who knocked his head the previous day walking the same path. "Hey Rookie." The person spoke
"Hey..." Bill responded as loud as he could
"Just cleared the fourth floor." The adventurer spoke
"Fifth." Bill answered simply again
"No way..." The adventurer gasped
"Way...Just heading...home now." Bill answered
"But you're a rookie! How'd you get down there so quick?! I've been here for a month!" He gasped
"Determination...anger...vengeance...someone stole from me." Bill answered "And... I had a weird glow."
"Probably your magic from your God. That's probably how you managed to get down there." The adventurer commented
"Hmm...I'm Bill." Bill extended his hand to the adventurer
"Plus a skill." The man laughed, grasping Bill's hand and shaking it "I'm Matt."
"Which Familia are you a part of?" Bill asked
"Aphrodite Familia. Yourself?" Matt asked
"Hera Familia." Bill admitted
"Sweet." Matt smirked "First member of THAT Familia I've met."
"Currently the first and only." Bill admitted
"What's your class?" Matt asked
"Huh?" Bill asked
"Your class. You handle that short-sword well, are you a dual-wielding warrior or a thief or something?" Matt inquired as they walked past the marker of the third floor
"There are classes?" He asked in confusion
"Not officially. But some Adventurers specify in a 'class' and go by those terms." Matt nodded
"I see. Well... Sorry, but I don't think I have a one. Still a bit too new." Bill admitted
"Well no worries...I'm a "Knight Class" Heavy armour and two-handed swords." Matt answered
"Sweet." Bill nodded
"Hey err...sorry about knocking your head." Matt apologised
"Thanks...Hnn!" Bill smiled then felt his feet feel like they were stabbed with daggers.
"Whoa, easy; I got ya." Matt helped pick him up
"Thank you...I guess those enemies drained me more than I thought..." Bill spoke
"Maybe." Matt sighed "Come on man."
"Ow..." Bill hissed then began to walk with Matt who was supporting him.
To be continued
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