Chapter 4: Resurrection and Loss

A/N: Yo wys. The holiday specials carry on. But um yh.

It seemed like a typical morning in Orario. Birds were chirping.

Adventurers were walking in and out of the dungeon.

The guild was bustling like always with different kinds of people.

Monsters were dying.

Adventurers were dying.

Nothing out of the ordinary. Except, the Twilight Manor was about to be set off in an internal explosion. Bell's eyes were more soulless than usual, if that is possible, as he walked silently towards the dining hall. It was going to be one of 3 things. Either they laugh their asses off. Or they will laugh their asses off. Or, and the final option is very far fetched and practically impossible...they will laugh their asses off.

Yup, the future was bleak for Bell, he was practically begging for the day to be over every time he glanced outside to gaze at the ever so annoying sun shining and practically making him believe the little bit of annoyance that he always felt at seeing Hermes.

Ever since that day, Bell had an immaturish hatred for Apollo, God of the Sun. But that story is for later.

Bell flung the doors open and people immediately stopped to look at him. Not a single whisper escaped their mouths as Bell walked to the Executives table. His boots thudding loudly in the silence, as he climbed the stairs. Loki was always having a hangover, but seeing Bell made her doubt whether she was still awake.

"oi, Riveria...am I dreaming?" She asked, Riveria looks at her questioningly before noticing she was focused on something behind her. Riveria and a few others followed the gaze of Loki to see...Bell...in a butler suit.

They only stared in silence. Then Riveria broke the silence.

"Bell, I know it's your day off and you are free to cosplay if you want...just don't go outside dressed like that okay?" Riveria asked. Not that she had any issues with how he looks, even she would agree that he looks good in the clothes.

"yeah, well since today is my punishment day, my choices were either this or a maid costume." Bell shrugged. He didn't know about them, but he would definitely not wear a maid costume.

"Why didn't you wear the maid costume, you would've looked better." Bete laughed as he drank his alcohol. Honestly, Bell will never for the world understand how he managed to drink this early in the morning.

"Well, I don't have to satisfy your weird desires to see a cross-dressing maid." Bell immediately quipped back causing Loki to spit out her tea and laugh. Bete just glaring at him and Tiona and Tione laughing their asses off.

"Good one."

"grr, stupid bunny boy," Bete growled.

"you calling me names won't hide your weird fetishes," Bell replied. Once again making people laugh. Riveria sighed. This was just a headache for her.

"Bell, enough. It's too early for this." Riveria told him. She wasn't going to sit and have breakfast while, Bell destroys all of Bete's ego, no matter how appealing that sounded it was too much.

"Oh, Imma try out the butler. Boy get me another tea, with a spoon of sugar." Loki grinned as she leaned back on her seat and waited for Bell to move. Bell narrowed his eyes before quietly making his way to the drinks area.

In a couple of moments, he came back and handed her a cup of tea.

"Good butler." Loki pretended to pet him like a dog as he moved away from her. The others laughed at his obedience. Loki took a sip of the tea and instantly spat it out.

"the fu-. BOY I said a spoon of sugar. NOT 20 of salt!" She shrieked as she slammed the teacup down on the table. Bell looked her right in the eyes and told her.

"should've chosen coffee. No one messes with coffee." Bell whispered as he walked away from her. He went towards Riveria and went onto one knee, "Oh, prideful princess of the Elves. Please provide a command, so that I don't waste my day." Bell asked her with dead eyes. It took everything that Riveria had in her to not hit him.

"W-why are you asking me?" Riveria asked a shaky voice that couldn't be controlled due to her anger.

"1. you hate being treated like a princess and two, I don't trust anyone else to give me something to do," Bell told her. The rest, of course, burst out laughing, the fact that he had the gall to do the thing Riveria hated, right in front of her, to her and still not give a damn earned him respect with some of them.

Riveria however, had a huge tick mark on her forehead. " Call me that and you'll serve the entire day as a frozen showpiece rather than a butler." she threatened as a menacing red glow emerged in her irises. Bell stared back unfazed, he was contemplating whether being a frozen statue was actually better than a butler or not? This ended up taking all of his mental capabilities as he argued the pros and cons within his mind.

However, even though all the circumstances the one thing Bell could muster due to his instincts was a short "hm."

Now considering the general interactions of a human, 'hm' usually corresponds to an agreement. However, this was not a general situation. This was Bell Cranel, in a butler suit. Normal, would not be the first thing you would think of if you were part of the Loki familia. Tiona just laughed at his antics. Ais sat focused on her jagamarkun and the rest were watching the show. Finally, Finn decided to grace them with his presence.

" Captain~" Tione sang as she basically teleported to his side. It always made Bell curious how she was able to just go from place to place just like that, but all he did was think it was because of their difference in status.

"Alright, alright calm down guys. Bell, stop trying to start a war. Riveria, stop responding to his words." Finn tried to calm them down. But none could believe him with the sadistic smile on his face. As if he got exactly what he wanted. Riveria responded to him instead.

"Don't try to act like you didn't cause it." she spat as she looked at him pissed off by Bell's antics already. Speaking of Bell, he had other plans instead.

"Finn san, since you gave this punishment, assign me to someone."

Finn smirked, " alright then it's Bet-" He was about to say but both Bete and Bell glared at him. Well, it was more like Bete scowling at him and Bell just narrowing his eyes, which immediately told Finn that they were not aboard the plane. 'jeez, can't they take a joke?' He wondered but realised he may have gone too far. He scanned the table, to find someone who would be perfect for Bell to serve.

Bell's plan to have one specific person telling him what to do, was as plain as a day of him trying to save himself. Had he been a sort of communal butler, he would have to listen to the whims of basically everyone. That was just too cruel and Finn recognised it. So he decided to give Bell the leeway.

His eyes finally landed on one girl, someone who should bring about fun if not, interesting results. Someone, who seemed to have been well impacted to induce uncanny silence from them. Someone who seemed to be quite unaware of the extreme amounts of attention they were giving to Bell. It was obvious there would be pleasing results from this one person. "Then it will be Tiona," he announced, Bell turned to look at her, she had just been broken out of her stupor and her surprise look at Finn.

"h-huh? captain?" Tiona asked surprised but the only response she got was a knowing smile.

Finn's POV

Hahahaha, I'm such a genius...Never thought I'll ever get that haughty about myself but look at this opportunity. Sure, I could make Bell's day bad and still force him with Bete, but that would just make him hate me. This? This was something I'm sure is going to be enjoyable. Tiona was staring at him as if she had seen her goal.

Now how can a girl who loves to make people smile, deal with this one? Finn wondered.

Normal POV 5 mins later

Bell was standing in front of Tiona in their backyard. They just stared into each other's eyes, as Tiona decided what to do with... the extra helper she has now. I mean yeah sure, she was slightly interested in Bell's butler outfit and still was interested but his expression evidently told her some words.

'fuck around with your requests and I'll leave.' was the message she saw in him. Which put her in a tight spot, since she really wanted to ask him to cosplay for her. Wear some outfits, that would normally stick out but seemed like it would be perfect in this situation.

But one thing bothered her, why would he never smile? Without coffee's presence that is. He just seemed so bored with his life. Tiona felt her determination become reaffirmed as she by herself, selfishly may I add, decided to make him smile by the end of the day...and make his cosplay.

Bell's POV

This girl... is so thinking of something annoying. I can just see in her eyes. I mean anything would be better than having to crossdress for Bete I guess. But this silence is strange, like say something, will you?

Oh, well that look says it all. She finally made her decision huh. God, is she an open book.

"I decided. You are.." Tiona paused to add effects, "drum rolls please." she asked. It was a childish request but a request nonetheless and Bell would comply. He sighed and started lazily patting on his thighs slowly getting faster and faster. Tiona giggled like a child, as Bell plainly looked at her. "going to be shopping with me." she finished her previous sentence.

While Bell was thankful for the rather boring, but arduous task as from his experience, it seemed like there was something else upon it. Surely, shopping wasn't enough to make her eyes glitter like jewels right. They seemed pretty.

Bell turned to the side for a second 'pretty?' what the fu- forget it.

"hm," he affirmed as Tiona had long since begun walking but he assured himself, her level 6 hearing would be enough. He followed along and remembered what Riveria had told him about his outfit. "Tiona san," he called out and Tiona stopped to turn around. But her face already announced that she was thinking of something that could only make the experience more 'pleasurable' or in Bell's case. Jarring.

Oh great, now what?

Normal POV

Tiona hearing her name being called out got her thinking. He was there to "serve" her today. So she can tell him how to address her right? I mean, she was always curious about how those rich nobles in stories, who make people call them politely feel. She wanted to feel like an 'ojou sama'

"call me, Mistress, no Tiona sama from now on." She instructed. She looked at Bell with impertinence as she felt pride in her own words.

"hm," Bell responded.

"Tiona sama," Tiona repeated, evidently telling him to call her that from immediate effect.

"hm. Tiona sama." Bell relented. She looked at him in triumph, like a child looks at his potty after taking a big shit.

...Never mind, no child does that.

Hopefully?

Regardless, she looked happy with the results, it had a nice ring to it although he sounded bored as hell, which in his defence he could've been. She herself preferred the dungeon and fighting over getting clothes. I mean she wears the same goddamn outfit most of the time, just has to buy multiple of them due to them being destroyed in the dungeon often.

She however stumbled upon, quite metaphorically, another great idea. She looked back at Bell, who seemed to be faring well with her orders so far. She changed course towards Finn's office, rather than the main entrance. Bell also had to follow, and while he would typically ask for why the sudden change in path. So far from Tiona's orders, he understood two main things.

She was being extremely whimsical and experimental.

And two, she was currently gloating about her "brilliant" ideas. I mean just looking at her dumbass smile, was obvious to let basically everyone know just how much she was enjoying herself.

Bell followed along to Finn's door entrance, as Tiona burst in.

"hey, captain. You mind if I borrow ma sister?" Tiona asked as she walked in. Finn had already noticed her presence so he didn't get surprised. Tione sighed from his side, she knew Finn preferred intelligent and reserved women, not loud and rowdy like Tiona. She blamed Tiona's over-energeticness as one of the reasons that she wasn't having success with men.

That and her washing board of a chest. She was sure, even Loki's breasts were bigger than hers.

No wonder, she didn't need to wear a bra. Hm, why was Tione being so mean to her?

"No, I'm staying with the c-" Tione tried to deny Tiona's request but Finn caught her off.

"sure, she seems bored here anyway." Finn shrugged. Tiona seemed to smile more while, Tione stuttered on her own words.

"I-that's not true," Tione replied but then she seemed to be in thought. Bell saw the slightest hint of relief in Finn's posture and decided to counter.

"no, Tione san likes to be with Finn san anyways. She wouldn't be bored." Bell interrupted as a flash of alarm went past Finn's eyes but he quickly erased it to remove any doubts. He was thinking of something to say, it was clear that he didn't want to hurt her but he didn't want her to stay since all she would do is ask him if they can get married for the billionth time. He needed some sort of ignition.

"Bell, since she is my sister you must call her Tione sama understand? Also, don't cut me off." Tiona told him with a finger wading around. Bell's eyes looked more tired than they did when he arrived, and it took all Finn had to stifle his giggle. Tione just looked at her sister weirdly, she was an oddball but this was just unique even for her.

"hm." was all Bell said as he turned around and smashed his head into the wall. Finn couldn't hold it anymore, he leaned against his table, keeping himself standing up with one hand while the other worked tirelessly to contain the one giggle that threatened to escape.

In the end, Finn got his entertainment, Tiona got Tione and Bell got another person to respect. Not that he particularly cared since a high-level adventurer was usually worthy of respect anyways. Besides, all he has to do is stay quiet, which to be fair he is quite used to, and just call them with sama.

Simple right?

Tiona proceeded to ask Ais and Lefiya too. Ais was refused since she was training and Lefiya didn't want to go unless Ais went, so Tiona simply head locked Ais and dragged her far enough. Turns out, Tiona still had more strength than Ais, although she found herself struggling quite a lot. So now, Bell was walking in the plaza, in a butler suit that to be honest, made him look quite handsome. Sadly, he was basically surrounded by the women. So, the impression he gave off was not normal.

They were apparently going towards the clothing stores in which case he thought he would have to just carry bags. So, they made stops at different stores. Tiona and Tione bought the exact copy of the same outfit 20 times. Lefiya went for a few sets of refined clothes here and there. Ais had zero fashion sense and had no intention of wearing any of the cutesy clothes, and while she preferred to look at armour and weapons she basically gave Lefiya the job to get some clothes that will probably sit in her closet for the rest of her life anyways.

Lefiya on the other hand, took this job very seriously and went on a spree to find the most elegant of dresses in Orario. She sure was stoked about this. Sadly for Bell, this meant more bags to carry.

Now? He was standing in between the Hiryute sisters as Tiona decided on her next destination while, Tione was looking at Bell apologetically. The reason as because Bell had shopping bags.

Everywhere.

On his arms, hips (using holders) and around his neck.

"Uh, sorry about this Bell kun we went overboard." Tione apologised genuinely feeling bad for the boy.

Bell shrugged it off, "don't worry. I'm used to abuse."

Somehow that line made Tione somewhat concerned but she didn't question it. It's Bell they were talking about, nothing's normal about him.

"Hey hey guys, let's go have lunch next. I feel hungry. Bell do you know any good place to eat?" Tiona asked him jumping up and down like a child.

"Ah yes ask the guy that's been for 2 weeks about good locations," Bell nodded affirming her question and drew a giggle from her, "Depends what you want to eat."

Before Tione could speak, Tiona jumped in, "Omlette!"

Bell registered her answer with a 'hm' before turning to Tione.

"Tione san what would like to eat? Besides the captain that is," Bell asked which Tione choke on air as she began coughing. "I was joking."

"Jagamarukun." Ais said popping up from behind them.

"Ah Ais welcome back, did you find some nice weapons?" Tiona asked bubbly.

"Jagamarukun." She repeated.

"Um...Ais?"

"...Jagarmarukun."

What?

"Is she perhaps lagging?" Bell asked raising an eyebrow.

" At this point we have to get her Jagamarukun before she can reply properly." Tione sighed.

Bell seemed to wait and let that sink in for a second before nodding, "seems legit."

Tione grumbled further, "of course it does. Everything is legit for you."

"Not really." Bell replied. They proceeded to have a stare off.

"Well?! Are you gonna elaborate?" Tione asked.

"You never asked me to."

Tiona burst out laughing calling her sister stupid.

"I can see why Riveria has problems with you?" She sighed out.

"Nine lectures?"

They seemed to stare at him for a second as they paused on their way.

"Jagamarukun." Ais's voice broke them out of their stupor.

"WE GET IT AIS, WE'RE GOING THERE!" Tione shouted at her before bringing her attention back to Bell," never say that Riveria's face, she is gonna destroy you."

"Hm. I called her that yesterday. I'm fine as is."

The two paused this time and simply stared at him agape. Bell raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Bell...do you know the reason why Ais is afraid of water?" Tione asked slowly.

"Let me guess, Jagamarukun?"

"No, it's because when she was a kid, she called Riveria an 'old hag' and so Riveria tied her to adamantite and threw her in the water calling it 'swimming lessons'"

Bell nodded, "well I don't see how this affects me."

Tione simply gave up on having a conversation. Bell just didn't fear anything apparently. Yet she could confidently say it wasn't arrogance. But what was it? Braveness? Power?

No to both.

Seemingly they had managed to get a jagamarukun stand and got Ais her food.

"Say Bell kun, I've been wondering about this. But you have been pretty talktative well, talkative isn't the right word. More like responsive," Tione amended, "but why is it that whenever you speak with Finn, Gareth or Riveria you just stop replying?"

Indeed it was a question to be asked one that piqued both Tiona and Ais' attention. Not to say that no-one else had been curious about this but it was a fact that they had discovered today. Bell seemed to be talking just fine, albeit a bit unexpressive but not completely the usual 'hm' mode.

Bell looked at them in silence as if to build intensity had it not been for the perpetual 'bored as fuck' look he has, "hm."

Tione felt like she wanted to crush his vocal cords right about now.

"ohoh, I wanna rip your vocal cords right now." Tiona added. Although she still seemed in a jolly mood which somehow made it more sinister.

'Oh?...I guess we are sisters.' Tione realised. Although she never said her desires out loud. Little did they know, as Bell walked the ghost of a smile swept across his face before disappearing.

*The Next day*

"So...how did you like being a butler yesterday?" Finn asked grinning.

"Imagine getting a kick out of abusing a 14 year old." Bell quipped back but it only served to make Finn's grin wider.

"Oh that's just one of the benefits of being captain. Not that you would know currently."

"Hm. You can keep those behind the paperwork."

Finn chuckled at that.

"Well, regardless seeing as you have served your punishment, you are clear to go to the dungeon again. Don't repeat your errors again okay?" Finn made sure to ask, even though he knew fully well it wasn't something Bell could completely control.

"hm."

"I want a proper answer Bell."

"That was a proper answer you senile 58 year old man." Bell shot back before leaving the room and allowing Finn to simply stare at the wall at the other end of his office.

" I don't know whether to be shocked that he seems angry at me or if I should be proud." Finn muttered to himself before going back to his work.

Bell had hoped for a nice day at the dungeon. Y'know the same obliterating monsters into little pieces. Except he was met with a couple minotaurs which were being an absolute. Pain. In. The. Ass.

Quite literally as Bell felt his ass ache from landing on it so much.

"So..." Bell began as crimson red blood flowed from his scalps, his lips similarly bleeding too, "I only brought 1 toothbrush with me today. Why is there 2 of you?"

The minotaurs snarled and charged at him, Bell dodging them rather easily.

"Look I apologise for not knowing you had a long lost brother." He said as he dodged a blow to the fact but was hit by the other minotaur in the gut, sending him back, "*cough* correction, sister, you guys have no reproductive organs, how am I meant to know?."

Bell decided to quickly drink some potions. His organs were in functioning order and thankfully he didn't know pain so he could keep going until his body decided to give out. But still he could tell his bones to be fractured and possible internal bleeding.

"Did you know heat also kills bacteria? I may not have another toothbrush but," Bell slashed at the chest of the minotaur as it roared in pain, "I do have heat from lightning."

Sparks began to flow around his body, as if hovering around him before collecting at the tip of his blade. The point began shining brighter and brighter as Bell rolled and dodged out of the blows from the minotaurs.

As the assumed 'female' minotaur charged at him, he leapt in the face and kicked. It did little to harm the monster but provided enough time for him to take out the toothbrush and shove it deep into its mouth, as that minotaur began choking on the toothbrush, Bell landed on 'her' shoulders and pushed off to fly towards the other minotaur.

"Lightning Jab." Bell stabbed the sword into the minotaurs mouth and released the lightning in a stream. The face of the minotaur bubbled in gory lumps as it eventually burst, the upper half of the skull disintegrating and causing the eventual collapse of the monster. Bell jumped off as the minotaur finally completely died into white dust.

He turned to face the other minotaur only to see it charging at him in close distance.

'Oh.' Was all he could think before the minotaur's horns punctured two wide holes into his belly, and the minotaur kept running towards the wall, ultimately smashing through it.

"oof, feel like a wrecking ball." Bell muttered as he grab the butt of his sword and began striking the mouth of the minotaur repeatedly. His spine was in grave danger as it stood so he understood the importance. Not to mention, his vision was slowly blurring.

Finally the minotaur threw Bell off its horns and to the side. Bell couldn't feel enough strength to get up, but as his eyes were going in and out of focus. He prepared for his death.

'Well...at least it's not in some shady alleyway.' He took comfort in that thought. He really did.

At the Twilight Manor

Loki was taking her much needed daily nap. Headaches from alcohol seemed annoying but she could sleep them off so it didn't matter much. However, as she slowly flowed into dreamlands, she felt and heard a very loud and painful cut.

SNAP.

Instantly her eyes shot open, the usual slits opening to reveal the tricksters eyes. She knew this feeling, but how did it- how? Why?

Panic flashed across her face, a cold sweat building up.

'Grr...fuck!' She thought as she ran down the hall to Finn's room.

"Finn!" She slammed the door open. Thankfully Riveria seemed to be there as well.

"Woah, Loki even for you this is ru-"

"Not the time, " Loki cut him off, " The brat...h-he's kicked the bucket!"

Finn's eyes widened at the implication. "What?!"

"I c-can't feel his bond anymore. I felt it rip! Th-the connection, it's gone!" Loki screamed.

"Calm down Loki, Finn where is he?" Riveria asked.

Finn turned a slight bit pale, "D-dungeon..."

Meanwhile with Bell,

...

Suddenly a voice broke through his mind.

"No my little soldier." The somewhat sultry voice boomed in his head, "It's not time for you drop yet. You need to grow stronger, stronger and even more. I am a deity, I am fair, and it's simply not fair for you die as a level 1."

The woman seemed to giggle eerily.

"Although I say that regrettably I can't bring people back from the dead. Normally that is. Technically you aren't dead either, but you will be...soon."

"So here is where I, the amazing Goddess come in once more...do you wish to live?"

"..." Bell could not reply.

"Ahahaha I forgot, you can't wish for things," Nexus' sadistic smile and blush could be seen as she fawned over Bell's body in the sea of darkness, "But I feel that I can still get quite the amount of entertainment out of you. Who could've known you are THAT Zeus' grandson. I shall send you back one more time, but be prepared for some pain. I'll be taking just one more emotion of yours, Love or hate? Pick your poison."

Nexus seemed to be waiting in glee, although she knew Bell couldn't reply yet she really twisted in the feeling of helplessness had Bell not lost that feeling before.

"Alright Love it is." Nexus shrugged.

As soon as Nexus said that, Bell's suddenly saw the flashing images of Tiona. For some weird reason he could not understand, he saw his allies and her and felt a force of resistance wash over him.

"Oh my," Nexus spoke with glee, "It seems my little fool wants to keep this as his last emotion. Well phooey, it's fine I guess, it'll be more interesting to see you love rather fight with hatred in your veins. Now then, time for you to come back to the world of the living."

As soon as her voice disappeared, Bell felt something he hadn't felt in quite some time.

Pain.

Excruciating, burning pain that seared itself onto him. Particularly his right arm. He wanted to scream but couldn't, he wanted to shed tears but they didn't come out.

At that moment Bell wondered if his sacrifice was worth the power.

As the searing pain ended, the world seemingly began to move once more. Bell felt himself come back. Still laying on the ground but his vision wasn't blurry. He could see the minotaur roaring a couple meters away, as if roaring in victory.

Bell quickly picked himself up, analysed himself to have no more broken bones, no blood besides what was already out. Taking the opportunity before the monster would notice he blasted off towards the minotaur.

"Lightning Enhance." Bell poured a small bit of electricity through his body, speeding up reflexive movement and core strength in his muscles in general.

The minotaur had seemingly noticed him up but was baffled as to how he came back. With a burst of power, Bell literally cleaved through the neck of the monster. The minotaur decapitated before it even understood it had simply fallen to its death.

If Bell could be surprised he would've been. He checked over himself to see that indeed there was no damage on him whatsoever, as if everything had been reset for his body. Instead he had a weird pattern like tattoo running on his right arm, in pure black ink. The two massive holes from the minotaur's horns were gone too.

Talking about minotaur horns... right were the minotaur died off, lay the magic stone of course but also a minotaur horn alongside it.

Bell decided now would be a good time as any to call it a day. So he picked up the two magic stones and the horn and left for the entrance.

At the Guild

Eina had a sufficiently normal day at work. No Bell kun to deal with, no problem, it was going perfect.

Until it wasn't so perfect anymore.

Bell appeared.

Eina resisted the urge to roll her eyes in frustration and only muttered "can't have a single good day." before turning back to face Bell, who had now arrived at the desk. Eina took a second to take in his overall appearance.

His light armor had basically been bashed in. His undershirt was ripped and on his right hand was a bloody sword. He had some weird cloth wrapped around the part of where his undershirt for his right hand was ripped from. It was weird but she didn't question it. " What happened today Bell."

Now Eina was a humble person. Sure she did freak out but only when dumb things happened. And oh boy...

without any sort of pre-visual of any sort of reaction, Bell plopped down a decent sized magic stones.

"I killed a minotaur."

...

"what?"

"I killed a minot-"

"Yeah I heard it the first time, but I find it very hard to believe that a level 1, especially one with stats in the 700s, has killed a minotaur." Eina replied. Even if it was Bell they were talking about.

Then Bell proceeded to plop down a minotaur's horn next to it.

"..."

"..."

"YOU SERIOUSLY KILLED A MINOTAUR? AT LEVEL 1?!" Eina screamed once more bringing people's attention to him.

"Ah actually..." Bell began.

'Oh thank God, I think he found it or some-'

"I killed two minotaurs," Bell put down the other stone.

Eina's face went Slam, and the table broke. Surprisingly not her glasses.

Eina refused to answer Bell after that point. It's not like he would listen anyways. So Bell shrugged and cashed in his minotaur stones for a decent amount of valis, 8000 valis to be precise for each of them.

As if Bell didn't just break half the universe, he took the money, horn and left to go towards the Twilight Manor. He bought an extra undershirt and changed in some alleyway so that his familia couldn't see the tattoo.

'Nexus wants to be a secret, and I don't feel like advertising things either.'

That was Bell's logic.

As he returned to the manor, the guards let him through, surprised Loki didn't have to come today to get him. As he entered he walked to simply go to his room.

"I'm back." He said as he opened the door to his room.

Bell could only stare as he saw Raul cry on Bell's bed, face down. The bedsheet had understandably become drenched, and he made eye contact with Raul before immediately closing the door and walk the other direction.

The door swung open and Raul dragged him back in.

Ok. This was worse.

Somehow Raul hadn't expended all his tears already and through the choked jibberish, Raul had thought that Bell had died.

Now that was a dumb thing to do. Bell dying?

'How did he know?' Bell wondered as he looked down at Raul, who continued to weep like a grieving wife.

Bell promptly enchanted his fist with lightning and bonked Raul in the head to get him to go away.

" If you don't get off, I'll punch you." he warned.

"But you already did?!" Raul replied rubbing the spot. His tears finally having stopped. Bell's punch surprisingly hurt a decent bit, even if Raul was level 4.

"hm." Bell replied before removing his bedsheet and replacing it with Raul's bedsheet.

"Umm..." Raul began, "shouldn't you report to the captain?"

"He'll be fine." Bell shrugged as he sat and began to put his bags of valis in his bottom drawer, which had become decently full, with the bags of money he keeps earning but never spends really.

"Woah, you sure are letting it rip even at just level 1."

"Considering how long I am usually gone, it makes sense." Bell shrugged as he began to wipe his sword clean and sharpening it.

"I still can't believe how you sharpen your sword every night."

"Well it's the only legacy my family left me, alongside his lightning." Bell explained.

"Lightning?"

"My magic, is something that I got as a gift. 'The lightning opens itself to those with noble hearts.' That was a sort of a trial I gues- Why are you crying again?" Bell stopped to see Raul crying again.

"I-It's just...that man, this is the most words you've said to me ever. I-I really feel like we're becoming friends." Raul wept.

"Hm."

As dinner time rolled around, Bell was a bit late, since he had to wait until Raul was gone to change his shirt. What he didn't know was the events that were occurring right now.

"Now everyone I have an announcement today, our new recruit from a couple weeks back, Bell Cranel, has unfortunately passed away. We haven't really found his body but Loki felt his bond tear so we can simply assume that." Finn spoke solemnly. Ais seemed taken aback. Tiona seemed really depressed thinking one of her friends had died. Loki was drowning in misery, a.k.a alcohol.

"Uh captain, Bell's not dead. He was there today in our room." Raul spoke up from his seat, but Aki only hugged him as he finished crying into his chest.

"It's okay Raul...we know you two had been friends, you aren't crazy just because you're hallucinating." Aki spoke in between hiccups.

"But he's really no-" Raul to speak but was shushed by Aki.

"Now if you guys could take a moment of silence for him." Finn asked as he went quiet.

Bell entered the room and looked around everyone being silent so he walked up to Finn, "Hey captain why is everyone so quiet?"

"Huh?" Finn asked as he looked up to see Bell. "Oh my words, I didn't think I was that attached that I am hallucinating too."

"hm." Bell did not want to deal with this crap and began to walk back to his seat.

"Wait, is he actually alive?!" Tione screamed, making everyone take a second glance at him.

"Ok who's the dumbass that keeps spreading rumours of my death?" Bell asked as Loki began coughing.

"You-How?-Wh- WAIT. THE BOND IS BACK?!" Loki shouted as if she was losing her mind.

It seemingly clicked for a second, "Bell you're eating with the executives today. You're going to explain what the hell is going on." Finn commanded not leaving any room for discussion.

"Here I thought Raul was going crazy." Aki commented sitting back down on her chair.

"He is." Bell quipped back before going to sit where they had placed an extra seat.

"Now... Brat. How are ya alive?" Loki asked in a serious tone.

"That's a very difficult question to answer, you would need to explain what counts as me living."

"Damn it boy, we ain't got time for jokes." Gareth snapped, his usual laid back personality gone.

"I don't make jokes." Bell replied glaring half-heartedly at Gareth.

'Oh?'

"Brat I know your bond to me severed. I wasn't drunk and I have lost my children before. There is no way for me to forget that snapping pain." Loki barked, "How the hell is it back?"

"Hm."

"Respond or I'm going to bring out my magic." Riveria ordered.

"Still better than your lectures," Bell quipped.

"I'll bring out the nine lectures." Riveria amended as Tione stared at her surprised.

"...So I think I was technically, medically considered dead for a bit?" Bell replied.

"whaddya mean?"

"As in you actually died for a bit but came back?" Tione asked to which Bell nodded.

"See I was just fighting like normal in floor 14,"

"You're in floor 14 after just 1 and a half weeks of adventuring?!" Tiona asked shocked.

"Tiona not now," Riveria stopped turning back to Bell, "continue."

"I eventually ran into minotaurs,"

"MINOTAURS?!"

"Tiona hush!"

Bell stared at the two before Bete began yawning.

"hurry up finish the dumb story, I wanna sleep." Bete let out.

Rolling his eyes or at least wanting to, Bell continued " So these two minotaurs approached. Problem is, I only had one toothbrush. See their breath stunk so bad the last 2 times I promised to bring back a toothbrush but then they began attacking me because I had forgot the original minotaur's sibling. So I began bleeding all over as I continued to fight."

"You didn't try to run away?" Riveria interrupted.

"...no. But as I was saying, I built up my lightning at the tip of blade and killed one minotaur, I won't go into detail because people are eating. However, I forgot about the other minotaur, in whose mouth was the toothbrush I threw in, so that minotaur stabbed me with its horns and then kept running through the dungeon walls, eventually throwing me to the side."

"How are ya still uninjured?" Loki asked.

"...potions."

Bell didn't continue.

"well?"

"oh no I keep being interrupted so I'm waiting for you guys to finish with the questions."

"Ok Bell, no-one will ask anything until the end anymore I promise." Finn sighed as he watched Bete snicker.

" So, the minotaur had thought it killed me and technically for a couple moments it did and that's when she probably sensed me dying. Then however, I was basically resurrected by something somehow and I killed the second minotaur while it wasn't paying attention." Bell finished.

"uhuh and what's the real story? Cuz I find it hard to believe a weak brat like you killed two minotaurs as a level 1." Bete snorted.

Bell silently put down the minotaur horn on the table as evidence and the pooch went silent.

"Brat, I understand what ya said was only half-truths ya know. Ya can't lie to Gods and if what ya said was half-truth, then it was also half-lies, What are ya hiding?" Loki asked.

"...hm."

"Bell, you can't keep reverting to your 'hm' s whenever you don't want to answer a question." Riveria sighed.

"Now now guys." Finn interrupted, "let's give him some rights to secrecy. If he doesn't feel comfortable saying anything to us, don't force him."

"Finn, me and you both know, there is no such thing as comfortability with Bell. He does not care." Riveria deadpanned.

"Be that as it may, I still feel like we have no right to force information out of him." Finn justified. Bell chose to ignore the debackle that ensued.

"Hey Loki, can I have a status update?" Bell asked. Loki paled a bit.

"Ya don't t-think ya lev-levelled already?!" Loki stammered.

"Perhaps, but last I checked my stats were high enough to do so, and a near death fight should be enough." Bell shrugged. Thus they went to Loki's bedroom.

As they walked, Bell unfazed by the silence and Loki thinking over her next words thoroughly before speaking.

"Look brat, I think ya know that we're looking to you. We can't find the village ya said ya were from, but I know ya weren't lying. So no matter what happened to that family or other people ya may have known, just know that we are here for ya. We ain't gonna disappear nor are we gonna abandon ya. So don't feel uncomfortable, my kids are all mine to look after, no matter the level. So if ya ever have things ya wanna say in private just ask for me." Loki told him. Something about her tone was sympathetic as if she had assumed the worst. And she would be correct.

But Bell wouldn't tell her. It was too late now.

As they entered her room, Bell lifted his shirt on his back as Loki did his status update.

"Oh. My. ME! WHAT THE FU-" Loki stopped herself from screaming.

A/N: And that's a wrap. This chapter was a...weird one to write, I hope I wasn't too inconsistent with what I wrote before, just the dialogue style is getting to me. So it becomes a bother at time but regardless, this is part of my promise soo...

Bless.