And So, Bell Became a Hero
Description: Bell's Grandfather had a more impactful role in the boy's early life until his disappearance. Bell, with his newfound morals and dreams, and the help of an unexpected Goddess, starts his own journey to become a Hero like the one in the stories of his gramps.
Tags: Mature, Action, Romance[Harem]. Adventure.
Setting: Bell's 15 years old instead of 14, Zeus had a more impactful live in the boy's early life and did more than just teach Bell his lecherous ways.
Mature Story/Harem: There are GRAPHIC scenes in this story which include gore'ish scenes and smut/lemons/limes. Both of this are important parts of the story. The Harem will be large due to influences you'll read about later.
Authors Note: Heya! Jas here, if you'd like to support me, please consider joining the dis cord server (42SQENPj54) or supporting my patrn (IreJasmine)
DISCLAIMER: Danmachi belongs to its respective owners. Everything that occurs in this story is of my own creation and the characters abide by the fictional laws in the setting.
Reviews: Thanks for the reviews! There's some I need to properly reply so it causes no further confusion. This is explained in a later chapter note but might as well explain it with the release of this one, most of the girls will have 1o1 romance with Bell but there are some exceptions, an example of such exceptions could be the following (not set in stone):
If I add Lefiya to the harem, she won't feel comfortable with anyone besides Bell and if they have a lemon, the only partner she would be willing to share with would be Ais.
But if I were to add Loki to the harem, as the goddess of mischief, she'd be a'ok with an orgy. Of course it also depends on the other characters so don't worry, it's not like everyone suddenly turns lesbian once they consummate their feelings with Bell.
The second Review is pavook's one, I'm sure this was my fault since English isn't my main language so the point probably did not get across very well. Personally, I did not believe Familia's members gave 100% of their earnings towards the Familia, I also had the conversation about Hestia Familia's living arrangements before Bell exchanged the cores he obtained in the dungeon/went in there again, so nobody knew how much he would make and were going off what Rose believed he would bring in, which was hard-capped at 20k monthly if Bell did not spend a single dime outside of his equipment(potions/armor/weapons) and food and gave 100% of his earnings back to the Familia, and also adding Hestia's 5k.
Only** if the three put together they resources, and, Rose sacrificed 100% of her earnings for the Familia too, would they have 5k leftover every month. That's without considering any other fee the Familia had to be paid to the Guild/supplies/etc, just adding that would mean that 5k leftover would turn into the negatives which in 2~3months would drain all their resources.
That's the reason Bell put the idea for him to live apart so that Rose would've an easier time paying for the three women in the Familia while Bell paid for his own stuff at the church. You were absolutely right when you mentioned Rose not minding paying for Bell, and herself, but that was before the Goddesses were thrown into the equation. The other thing to note is that it's only been 2 days after Bell rescued Rose, (first day Hestia's Familia is formed, next day is the lime scene which is why Rose was sad her plans were almost instantly derailed and gave us the lime scene).
This issue will be solved in chapter 11, which is when Bell finally returns back from home from this new arc (ch9 is 2nd day still, ch10/ch11 take place on third day).
I hope this cleared the misunderstanding created, and I'll try to be more specific when explaining things like this further on! Enjoy this short chapter~ Next one will be uploaded soon!
Chapter 9: And so, White lies are told
Part 14
After escaping the angry elf, Bell first stop was Blue Pharmacy. The young adventurer managed to get there without any further altercations, thankfully. Once there, he found the tall blue-haired God literally opening the store.
"Oh, you're Hestia's boy!" Miach warmly smiled.
"Good morning, Lord Miach" Bell bowed his head in greeting.
"Preparing for the dungeon?" Miach asked, welcoming the adventurer into the store.
Bell hummed positively while he looked around, he noted how ample the reception floor was with both walls to either side of the entrance decorated with cabinets filled with different kind of potions, a few shelves with medical equipment spread in a straight path at either side towards the reception desk at the very end of the store.
"Do you need anything specific?" Miach asked once more after seeing Bell finish his inspection.
"Ah, uh" Bell scratched his cheek "it's my first time buying potions, I always-"
Bell abruptly stopped which caused the God to raise an eyebrow.
There was no way he could tell the God about how he had used the items of the deceased adventurers during his time living in the dungeon, the young adventurer needlessly worried over how shameless his action could be interpreted and even more so of how it could possibly affect his Goddesses and Familia future social status.
While Bell personally had no qualms with his actions due to the ideology he had developed under his grandfather's intense physical and mental training, he still knew such an act as pilfering from the death was not very well received by others.
"Hestia's boy?" Miach waved which made the white-haired boy snap out of his thoughts.
"Sorry Lord Miach, I've used potions before but never bought them personally" Bell deftly changed what would've been a lie into a truthful statement.
Miach noticed but paid no mind.
"Then let's get you the basics, how much valis do you have on you?"
"Around 5,000"
Miach hummed and started his short explanation of the basic items the Blue Pharmacy sold.
The Vulneary, which is a restorative ointment made by mixing herbs and leftover healing solution. The ointment can be used multiple times to heal minor bruises, cuts and scratches and was priced at 300v.
Then were the Health Potions which had three grades of quality and were stored in magically reinforced glass tubes.
The Low-Grade Health Potion which only worked when drank, could heal bruises, superficial cuts, and scratches, and were priced at 500, these were the 'regular' potions most adventurers bought.
The Mid-Grade Health Potion which could be applied on the wound for an immediate, less potent, effect but had a stronger effect when drank, it could heal minor internal injuries and some external wounds. They were sold at 1000.
The High-Grade Health Potion which had a stronger effect when applied on the wound but an even more potent effect if drank. It could heal some internal injuries, external wounds without leaving scars and only if it was drunk then it also clots blood. They were sold at 2000.
"These are the most basic health potions that Low Class Adventurers can afford, then we have the section for specific potions that may be helpful depending on the floor you're descending" The God moved to a shelf that contained various colored pear-shaped flasks and started naming them.
Stamina Potion, restores a moderate amount of Stamina, 500v.
Paralysis Potion, cleanses regular paralysis effect from the body, 500v.
Antidote, cleanses regular poison from the body, 500v.
Anti-bleed Potion, prevents major bleeding by accelerating the process of blood clotting, 3000v.
Awakening Potion, which only wakes up an unconscious person but does not recover from Mind Down, 5000v.
"Are there more?" Bell curiously asked, back at the village all they used were natural remedies like herbs and alcohol to treat wounds so having the opportunity to learn more about such an important aspect of being an adventurer was fascinating, even if he could not afford them.
Miach smiled at the earnest desire for knowledge and moved towards the left side of the store where the special goods of the Miach Familia were on display.
"There are, but these are for Second and First-Class adventurers mostly. Once you reach level two, we can go over their effects"
Stamina Tonic, 2,000v.
Low Grade Health Tonic, 20,000.
High Grade Health Tonic, 50,000.
Magic Potion, 10,000.
Magic Tonic, 30,000.
Element Resist Potion, 75,000.
"Then we have the Elixirs, the most potent kind of recovery items you will ever find and the most expensive ones. Their price ranges from anywhere between 500,000v up to 1,500,000v" The God pointed at some tear-shaped small glasses near the reception desk.
Bell's head spun at the astronomical prices the elixirs went for and hoped he would never find himself in a situation where he would need one.
"There are more variations but those are custom-mixed depending on the client's need" Miach finished, rubbing his chin lightly "So, which ones are you taking?"
Bell walked back to the regular health potion section, he picked three vulnearies, one mid-grade and one high-grade health potions.
The young adventurer knew that unless he royally fucked up, he would sustain no major injuries except for scratches that could be healed by sparingly applying the Vulneary and in the case he did indeed fuck up, one high-grade potion should be enough.
The other one mid-grade one was taken just as a precaution in case an injury wasn't bad enough to warrant the use of the high-grade one.
Bell hesitated once Miach stepped beside him to view the products taken, and after seconds of deliberation took 2 stamina potions and handed all the items to the smiling god.
"The total would be 4900 but since you are Hestia's child, we'll leave it at 4500" Miach laughed lightly at the surprised look on Bell's face, the tall god patted the boy's back "Just keep it a secret!"
Bell was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, he gratefully paid what the God asked and promised the God to buy more the next time he came back to repay his kindness.
The young adventurer bundled the potions in a special cloth provided by the God before leaving the store and heading for his next stop.
His journey to the Guild was uneventful, which Bell was grateful for since he did not want a repeat of the earlier misunderstanding, and the adventurer was surprised to find the Pantheon was already bustling with activity.
Still, Bell was a man on a mission, and he pushed through the crowded doors and quickly made a beeline towards miss Eina's counter which had quite the long line of adventurers waiting to be attended.
Unluckily for them, once Eina caught sight of Bell's unique white-hair at the end of the line she gladly pulled out the 'counter-closed' plaque and finished with the last adventurer she had been attending before leaving her post and dragging the white-haired boy towards the private advisor's booth.
"Good morning miss Eina" Bell greeted warmly once they were sitting face to face.
Eina blushed lightly and tilted her head as she recalled the previous day accident but played it cool "Well, I certainly didn't expect to see you so early mister Cranel"
"Ahaha I want to make the most of today" Bell sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"I can see that" Eina replied, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Miss Eina would it be possible for me to go to the lower floors?"
"We haven't even finished the report of the first five floors, and you want to head deeper?" Eina crossed her arms under her bust, frowning "It's too risky Bell, you're still a solo level one. Maybe if you had someone to cover your back, I would consider it"
Bell frowned but recalled Lady Hekate had given him permission that morning to show his status to their Advisor since his skills were hidden.
"My goddess Hekate updated my stats this morning and said that you could look at them if it could get me entrance to the deeper floors" Bell scratched his cheek as he said that.
Eina frowned.
Normally adventurers gave a paper with their updated stats to the Guild which then granted them access to the deeper floors after they were archived but there must be a reason Lady Hekate hadn't given Bell such a paper and instead had given permission to look at his back.
"I'll admit I'm a bit curious, let's see what your Goddess believes will change my mind"
Bell nodded, taking off his shoulder plates and chest piece before taking off his shirt.
Eina flushed again, she thought Bell would lift the back of his shirt but instead he took the whole thing off. As more and more of his skin and muscles was shown, her face flushed deeper.
And that's where her trouble began, Bell smiled.
That damned smile.
Eina covered her red face with her hands but still peeking through her fingers as Bell walked towards her and sat between her feet with his back facing her. She breathed quickly to recompose herself and once she recovered somewhat, her body betrayed her.
She was supposed to look…
So why was her hand gliding across his back and feeling Bell's muscles beneath her gloves!
"Are they legible miss Eina?"
Bell's voice snapped her out from her trance, shaking her head and squashing her rampant emotions the half-elf focused on her duties.
Bell Cranel
Level: 1
Familia: Hestia Familia
Goddess: Hekate. Hestia. ?
Strength: S999
Endurance: C630
Agility: SS1023
Dexterity: SS1390
Magic: I0
LUCK: ? + 4
If any of her co-workers had seen his stats, they would have forgiven her for the loud "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS BELL CRANEL!" that somehow escaped the soundproof private booth and reverberated in the crowded Guild lobby.
"Bell, how did you get TWO stats to SS rank" Eina shouted, adding "and pray tell how you even got a new stat there, that's impossible!"
Really, nobody would've blamed Eina for wanting to tear her hair apart.
"Um… I, uh, it's a secret miss Eina but I think if you ask Lady Hekate she might tell you why" Bell awkwardly replied.
Eina blew hot air, nursing her forehead "Now I understand why she didn't send you with a paper of your updated stats, if it wasn't because I'm reading them, I would've stamped your update as forged"
Bell wanted to argue that she was too nice to do that, but he held his tongue, one thing was miss Eina personal feelings and another was her Guild duties, he wouldn't confuse her kindness with her professionalism.
"Bell you really will be the death of me, how do you expect me to deny you entry to the lower levels when you have the stats of a level 2 as a level 1" Eina massaged her forehead angrily.
"Huh? Wait what do you mean miss Eina, don't adventurers level up once they hit the max cap of their stats?" Bell turned around and curiously asked the now fuming half-elf.
"No Bell, adventurers level up don't work that way, once their body absorbs a certain amount of Excelia they have to do an incredible feat worth all their hard work and then they can level up" Eina stopped fuming, piercing Bell with a glare.
"Adventurers require at least one stat reaching above 500 before they can level up, and here you are with double that amount in most of your stats. You may not be able to compare to a high level 2 but anything in between is fair game with those stats of yours"
Bell oh'ed "Thank you for explaining miss Eina, you really are the best!"
Oh not that damned smile again! Eina flushed and had to look away from the half-naked smiling teen that was corrupting her "Don't give me that, do you know how much work I will have when you inevitably hand in your next status paper, and I have to update your file!?"
Bell laughed weakly, offering a silent apology to the exhausted half-elf.
"You really will be the death of me" Eina gave up, leaning back in her chair and holding her head down between her hands.
"Um…" Bell wasn't sure what to say so he decided to dress up again, a minute passed as the half-elf had yet to move "miss Eina?"
"Yes Bell?"
"Am I…"
"Yes, yes you are. You may head down to the seventh floor but no further than that for today. Please leave while I gather my thoughts"
Bell shuffled awkwardly from his seat but stopped once he was next to the quiet half-elf "For what it's worth, you really are the best miss Eina, thank you and sorry if I'm causing you too much trouble"
When the half-elf gave no further response Bell sighed and somberly left, the door was closed and Eina was left alone simmering in her thoughts.
Eina wasn't worried about the paperwork, not in its entirety. Her worries stemmed from Bell's stupid fast growth and his current lack of knowledge.
She had not seen Bell fight, didn't know of his skills, all she knew of his true strength were the rumors of him supposedly saving Rose from a minotaur and the stats she had just seen.
The stats proved he was strong, but strength doesn't equal knowledge and most importantly, experience.
Experience was what kept adventurers alive in the dungeon.
Many young adventurers like Bell had gone into the dungeon with big hopes and dreams, and a terrible amount of them were returned in body bags to their Familias.
Her heart painfully tightened just thinking of Bell being inside one of those bags.
That was the reason she broke her own professionalism and gave Bell access to the seventh floor and not the ninth as the Guild generally allowed when adventurers status matched the ones he possessed.
And so, Eina wouldn't allow Bell's inexperience to become the reason his lovely story was cut short.
-0- Chapter End -0-
Author's Note: Bell's Luck stat increases/changes without the need for a Goddess updating his back, so if let's say he has another increase while in the dungeon, the effect is immediate but for the rest of his stats, since they're not 'special' they do need a Goddess update.
Also, I'm aware that a level 2 adventurer is 'stronger' than a level 1 about to level up. How much, I've decided to go with a 30% increase of the previous stat before level up. Quick example:
Adventurer has S1000. Level up will increase that base stat by 300 more, so at level 2 he will have 1300 (base hidden stat) and I0 as Level 2. Then when he goes to S1000 again as Level 2, that's 2300.
The level up will then count with the new stat max only, so another 300 increases at level 3. Meaning 2600 base hidden stat as Level 3 with I0.
If the adventurer had 500 before level up, then it's only 30% of that 500. I believe that's a "noticeable" medium ground that truly separates the strong from the weak adventurers. Most first rates level up with 700~900 in their stats and complacent only reach 500 in one, as level goes up the difference in the hidden stacks up more and more.
This same formula applies to Bell EVEN if his skill increases his cap limit.