Bell opened his eyes, having as good a sleep as he could get with his back against a wall. Yet he smiled. He was happy he was getting stronger quickly and vowed to be the strongest.

All so he could keep the orphanage safe. He didn't have any grandiose dreams of being a hero or starting a harem.

Yet he still tried to see the good in people. The world was already an ugly place, so why should he add more into it? That's just not the kind of person he wants to be.

Pushing himself off the ground, he stretched and yawned, getting rid of the sleepiness. He opened his stats and smiled again, seeing how much he had grown in such little time.

Showing stats

Bell Cranel

Level 25

HP: 3,300

Strength: 32

Agility: 45

Intelligence: 42

MP: 100

Luck: 250

Sense: 47

Gunslinger (7/?)

Knives( 8/?)

Duel wield (4/?)

Rifleman (3/?)

"Hey, system, you have any other dungeons I can go in," Bell asked.

Dungeon timer is on cooldown for another day

"Oh ok, well, I guess I could always go to the one under Babel. But I also have to work today. Nothing says I can't go after work," Bell mused, walking into the kitchen.

Saying good morning to Maria and grabbing a small breakfast, Bell left and began his journey to the Hostess of Fertility.

Stepping inside the bar, which was supposed to be empty. He noticed something odd. He saw a man and a woman, who he assumed to be husband and wife, sitting at the bar talking to Ryu. With Mia standing next to her.

Of course, being curious as to what was going he got closer as to hear, taking a seat next to them as Ryu gave him a side-eye.

Ryu belonged to the Astraea familia that met with tragedy eight years ago when they fell into a trap laid by evilus. Out of the 13 members that went, only four of them survived, and Ryu was weary about getting close to people ever since. Especially when someone as kind as Bell popped into her life.

"So, can you please help us? We know we're terrible parents, but we can't live with ourselves if our daughter is with that monster," the light brown-haired woman asked.

Bell, with his expert intellect and context clues, guessed this woman was a mother. He also assumed the man next to him was a father.

"Please, we'll pay whatever you want. Just name your price," the father, who had brown hair and blues eyes, begged

Ryu looked at the couple impassively as she made her decision. If she decided to help, she would be walking into Orari's biggest casino to rescue a girl who was sold off to pay a gambling debt.

"Oh, Ryu and Bell would just love to help you," Syr said as she exited the kitchen.

Both Ryu and Bell looked at Syr in shock. Ryu because Syr agreed for her and Bell because he was being forced into this.

Quest issued: Rescue Anna Claes from the Casino owner

Secondary Quest: Find out what the Casino owner is doing with the other girl he acquired

"Not that I don't mind helping, but why am I being dragged into this" Bell asked, pointing to himself. Sure, he was just given a quest for this, but he didn't like slavery and thought it was wrong.

Of course, he didn't know about all the enslaved people Ishtar had.

Syr walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him. Bell wasn't flustered; Syr was always overly affectionate with him.

"Cause it can be a date for just the two of us. Ryu will be our bodyguard, of course," Syr teased.

Bell groaned as his head hit the table. "Of course, you had an ulterior motive."

Syr giggled before pouting. "Oh, is Bell flustered? Does he not wanna go on a date with me"

Bell lifted his head up and gave Syr an unamused look. "Syr, I don't even have a suit."

Syr pulled back and clapped her hands together. "Then we'll just have to buy you one. Oh, I bet you'll look so handsome."

Bell gave a pleading look to Mia. "Mia, a little help here."

Mia crossed her arms as she let out a sigh. "Nope, you're on your own. However, you three better work twice as hard when you come back. I'll be losing valuable employees with you three gone."

Mia then looked at Syr. "Make that two and a half."

"Mama Mia," Syr pouted.

Mia ignored her protests. "Alright, shoo you three. You all need to get ready."

Syr then dragged Bell and Ryu out of the bar and to a clothing store where they could get outfitted. Bell was forced to sit in a chair as Syr tried on dresses and made Bell judge them.

"Ooh, Bell, what about this one" Syr excitedly asked. She was wearing a low-cut orange dress with ample cleavage on display. It was short-sleeved and hugged her body in all the right places.

"Looks nice wear that one," Bell said, giving a thumbs up. With the amount of times he's seen Ishtar, Syr's dress was a lot more modest than whatever Ishtar wore.

"Oh, thank you, Bell, you're so charming," Syr cooed as she went back into the dressing room. Once the door closed, Ryu turned to Bell.

"When did you get a falna?" She inquired, giving Bell a serious look.

"Don't have one," Bell replied, leaning his head back and looking at the ceiling. He would rather be anywhere but here.

Ryu hummed as she didn't believe Bell. Right now, he was giving off the strength of a level-two adventurer. She didn't know how he grew so fast as she had only seen him a day ago.

"Ryu, I can feel your eyes boring into me," Bell said, feeling a little nervous from the elf's stare.

Ryu turned her attention away from Bell and back to the changing room. "My apologies"

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After Syr picked out her dress, she made Ryu and Bell wear suits. He doesn't know why she made Ryu wear one, but when things involve Syr, nothing makes sense.

She had Ryu dressed in a black suit jacket and a green button-up shirt. She had black pants and black dress shoes.

Bell, on the other hand, wore a red suit jacket with a white button-up shirt. His pants were also red, along with black dress shoes, and his hair was neatly combed back, which Syr paid for. Bell didn't know where she got the money from.

"Oh my Bell, you clean up nice, now be a gentleman and escort me," Syr cooed, holding her arm out.

"What about Ryu?" Bell asked, wrapping his arm with Syr's.

Syr laid her head on Bell's shoulder. "She'll blend in with the crowd and will help us if we need it. But I have my knight in shining armor with me, so I already feel safe."

Bell looked down at Syr, her words making him tear up a little. Of course, Syr had said this before, but the way she was saying it now was different. Not one to be able to deal with situations like these, he played it off. However, he did vow to protect Syr no matter what.

"Don't worry, my not-so-fair maiden. This knight shall keep you safe," Bell joked. He blinked back the tears before Syr noticed.

Syr picked up on him, dodging her praises. She wouldn't pry about that. She knows about his issues and tries to help him. She'll wait till he's ready to revive the praise he deserves. Or the love whichever Syr felt like giving.

The two walked into the lavish casino. The giant two-story building that stretched from one side of the street to the other. It had bright shining lights outside so people would know where to go if they wanted to lose their money.

The inside was even more luxurious as there were light grey tiled floors that led to a velvet red carpet on the casino floor. On the casino floor were multiple tables with games like roulette, blackjack, seven-card stud, five-card stud, and so on.

"You remember the plan. Bell," Syr asked as she took her head off his shoulder.

Bell nodded his head. "Yup, win every game we play and draw attention to us, so we're taken to the back room to meet the owner. Simple"

Syr smiled as she patted Bell on the shoulder. "Alright, let's go get some chips and win some money. That way, Mama Mia won't be too harsh on us since we're skipping out on work."

Bell and Syr then walked to the teller's desk to exchange money for poker chips. Once those were acquired, they took a seat at blackjack as that was a high-risk, high reward.

Syr handed Bell half of her chips as she put her first bet down. Two 25 chips in the pot. She was starting off with a small bet as the chips they had went to 1,000

Bell placed two 25s as well to match Syr's bet. He had never gambled before and was just following Syr's lead. Looking over at the short woman who had a smile on her face Bell realized something.

Was her smile always that radiant?

Bell shook the thought out of his head. He didn't need to be thinking about stuff like that right now. All that mattered to him was Syr's safety and saving Anna.

"Oh, Bell, it looks like you have a 20 you shouldn't hit," Syr's voice broke Bell out of his thoughts.

"Huh, oh, so I should just stay?" Bell confusedly asked. He had no idea what he was doing and would let Syr guide him.

Syr scooted closer to him. "Yes, since you have a ten and a face card, your number will be 20. The aim of the game is to not go over 21, so it's recommended you stay when you have a 20," she explained.

Bell nodded his head as the dealer looked at him. "I'll stay."

The dealer nodded his head and flipped over his facedown card. Unlike Bell and Syr, the dealer had one card face up and one face down.

Bell looked at the dealer's cards and saw he had a 19.

"Mr. Bell and Ms. Syr have won this round," the dealer said, handing Bell double what he won. In one round, Bell just doubled the money he put in.

Bet higher next time

"What if I lose," Bell asked.

You won't

Bell let out a sigh deciding to trust the system.

"It's time to start the betting. Contestants place your bets," the dealer said.

Syr placed down a 50-chip in the pot, while Bell decided to go big and placed half his chips in the triple slot.

Syr looked at Bell, puzzled. "Bell, what are you doing" she whispered.

Bell looked at her and gave her a soft smile. "Don't worry, Syr, I got this," he confidently said. The system hadn't led him wrong yet. He just hoped it didn't do it now.

"Bets are locked in. Dealing is commencing," the dealer announced.

Syr worriedly looked at Bell, what was he doing and when he did become so confident. If he was trying to hurry this along, he should know that winning big takes a while, and you're more likely to lose. So why did he bet half of his chips?

Syr's eyes then widened as Bell had just gotten a blackjack, which was either a ten and an ace or a ten and an 11. What was Bell's luck to get that on his second turn?

The dealer flipped his card up, and his hand was 20. The dealer decided to draw a card not to let Bell win but drew a five and went over. Meaning the dealer lost while Bell won double what he just played.

Stop being a pussy and go all in

"That can be taken out of context really easily," Bell thought.

The dealer cleared his throat, getting Bell and Syr's attention. "Betting is now open."

Bell looked to Syr with a smile on his face. "Syr do you trust me," he asked.

"Of course, I do. Why do you ask" Syr curiously answered.

"Go all in," Bell told her, sliding all 3,000 of the chips he won and the 500 he got when Syr lent him half of hers.

Syr trusting Bell's confidence, went all in as well. The dealer seeing this, grew a little nervous and hit a small button under his table with his foot to alert the owner about two possible cheaters.

Bell heard the slight movement and buzzing coming from under the table, thanks to his abnormal hearing, causing him to smile in victory. All he had to do now was wait.

"Betting is now closed. Dealing is starting," the dealer announced.

Bell and Syr watched as their cards were laid out. The dealer's eyes widened in shock as both Syr and Bell had blackjacks.

Panicking, the dealer flipped his card over and had a 14. If he could only get a seven, he would win, as the aim of the game is to beat the dealer, and if you tie with the dealer, the dealer still wins.

Hastily taking the card out of the deck, he placed it on the table and slumped in defeat. He had drawn an eight.

"Oh, so close, yet so far," Bell mocked as he took the giant stack of chips. The dealer gritted his teeth and anger, and that was when Bell felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Bingo," he thought as he turned around and saw a man in a black tuxedo standing behind him. There was also another one behind Syr, standing a little too close for Bell's liking.

"Sir, I'm gonna need you to come with me," the man said as his grip tightened. Not that Bell felt it.

Bell used observe on the two to gauge their stats.

Shithead one and two

Level: 14

They are not much of a threat but think they're more of a threat than they actually are

"Alright, should be easy then," Bell mused as he made sure Syr was close to him as they were escorted to the back room where the owner was located.

Ryu saw the two being escorted there and discretely followed them until she couldn't get any closer. But once she heard something go wrong, she would spring into action.

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Terry Cervantes, a dwarf whose real name is actually Ted, since Ted here is impersonating the real Terry. He had killed the real Terry to take over his casino and run his slavery ring from inside.

He was sitting at his desk with a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes standing behind him, her head looking down.

The door to his office opened as Bell and Syr were escorted inside by the two men in suits. Ted looked up from his desk, and when his eyes landed on Syr, a small sinister smile appeared on his face. She would do quite nicely for his slavery business.

Silencing ward activated. No sound will leave this room.

"You, Anna Claes," Bell asked the woman standing behind Ted.

The woman's head looked up at Bell, a little startled, but she nodded her head. Before Ted could interrupt, Bell spoke again.

"Good" Bell then took out his Python and shot the two men in suits in the gut, incapacitating them. They fell to the ground clutching their stomachs as blood flowed freely from their wounds.

Bell then aimed his Python at Ted's head, who shot up to his feet in fear, putting his hands up in a sign of surrender.

Syr was looking at Bell in shock, while Anna looked at him in fear. Just what was that weapon he was using?

"Ms. Claes, your parents have been very worried about you, so if you would please stand next to my friend here, we'll take ya back," Bell calmly explained.

Anna quickly walked over to Syr and stood slightly behind her as Bell still had his Python aimed at Ted.

To Syr, it was like Bell flipped a switch and became a completely different person. Gone was the sweet and kind boy that she knew, and in its place was a cold hardened killer. Or not a killer per se, as nobody had died yet.

Bell walked forward, getting closer to Ted, his gun still aimed at his head. "Where are the others," Bell asked, his voice cold.

Ted was sweating profusely as his body started shaking. "W-w-w-what others," he stuttered.

"The other girls you sold into slavery, answer, or I'll put a bullet in your leg," Bell threatened, placing the barrel of his gun right on the man's kneecap.

"Ok, ok, I'll talk, just please don't hurt me," Ted begged as tears streamed down his face.

"Then talk," Bell ordered, pressing the gun into Ted's leg harder.

"I sold them to Ishtar," Ted declared, his body trembling.

Bell's eyes widened in shock. "What," he asked, his voice gruff and unnatural.

"I sold them to Ishtar. She said she'd pay good money for the girls I acquired through gambling debts and whatnot. Please, I'm telling the truth," Ted coward in fear at Bell's silence.

Bell took his gun off Ted's knee before pistol-whipping him across the face and knocking him out. He put his gun away before turning and looking at Syr's frightened face.

Bell blinked, and once again, it was like a switch was flipped. He looked around the room at the two injured and bleeding-out guards and the unconscious body of Ted.

"Oh, I'm sorry you had to see me like that. We should probably leave," Bell said as he walked to the door. Syr and Anna both followed him, but not before taking one look back at what had just happened.

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Once the three met up with Ryu, Bell handed the two girls off to her.

"What happened in there? Are you three ok" Ryu asked, a slight hint of worry in her voice.

"We're ok, Ryu. It's just something happened with Bell. I don't know what, but he's different than he was before," Syr said as she looked at Bell, who was staring at Belit Babel off in the distance.

Ryu looked at Bell, then to Anna. "It's best we get moving. We can talk about this once Anna is back with her parents," Ryu declared.

The three girls began to walk in the opposite direction of Belit Babel. Yet Bell remained still, his eyes on the residence of Ishtar.

"Bell are you coming" Syr worriedly asked.

"No, I have some other business to take care of. Good job rescuing Anna, Ryu. Astraea is gonna be proud," Bell said, making his way to Belit Babel.

Before he could take another step forward, Syr rushed forward and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Don't go. Ishtar might make you one of her sex slaves if you do," Syr begged.

"So, was I the only one that didn't know? I enjoyed that woman's company, I enjoyed the conversations we had, and now I'm told she was lying to me this entire time. God, I'm such a fool" Bell was holding back the tears as he had felt betrayed.

He had known Ishtar for almost a year now. A year full of conversations of just basic small talk like how each of them were doing or Ishtar giving Bell life advice.

Now he finds out that all of that could've been a lie. Something for Ishtar's cruel amusement. It hurt Bell just thinking about it.

Quest completed: Rescue Anna Claes

Secondary Quest competed: find out what the casino owner did with the other girls

Rewards given:

15,000 XP

30,000 gold

Level up

Level up

Level up

Quest issued: Do not confront Ishtar. As it stands, you are too weak right now and will not amount to anything if you confront her

Bell's teeth gritted in anger. His heart was beating erratically, and he could feel blood rushing to his ears. He wanted to so badly go and confront Ishtar, but now he's told he can't.

"Please, I don't want to lose you" Syr's soft and sad voice broke Bell out of his anger momentarily. He looked down at the small woman still wrapped around his waist, begging him not to go.

What was he doing? Syr was crying and begging him not to go. He didn't want to make Syr cry, and he did.

Bell took a deep breath to calm himself down. He needed to clear his head and not make any rash decisions. But he did have some anger to blow off tomorrow.

"Ok, Syr, let's go back to the hostess so Anna can be reunited with her family," Bell replied, his voice calm and even.

He turned around and wrapped his arm around her shoulder to comfort her. "I'm sorry I made you cry. I didn't mean to," he apologized.

Syr didn't say anything, except holding onto Bell tighter and not letting go. Usually, Bell would be annoyed by this, but just this once, he'd allow it.

"Those two seem close," Anna commented as she and Ryu walked side by side.

Ryu looked back at the two, Syr and Bell holding onto each other as they walked. "Well, they have always a special connection."

"Say, what is that boy? He was able to take down the owner and his guards with this weird weapon. Is he an adventurer of some kind?" Anna asked.

No? Bell doesn't even have a falna," Ryu answered, confused.

Anna looked back at Bell, whose attention was on Syr. "Odd, he took down those three like he knew what he was doing."

"Odd indeed," Ryu thought.

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Bell was sitting in the corner of the bar, watching Anna reunite with her parents. He watched as they were so grateful to be reunited with their daughter. Profusely thanking Ryu over and over again, who tried to tell them it was Bell who saved Anna, not her.

However, one look from Bell and a shake of his head told Ryu he didn't want the credit.

Mia sat down a mug of ale right next to Bell, who turned and looked at her. "I don't know what you did. But good job, kid, that mugs on the house."

Bell grabbed the mug and drank the ale. It tasted how he remembered nice and gave him a warm feeling in his chest.

"So how'd you get so strong in so little time? I know you have something giving you power. A spirit, perhaps," Mia asked.

Bell let out a small smile as he put the mug back down. "Let me guess. The ale was supposed to loosen my tongue."

Mia shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe, but I know you're not gonna sit still with your newfound strength. You're gonna want to get stronger so you can protect those brats at the orphanage, Elfy, and Syr. That's just the type of person you are."

"You're included in that list to Mia, as well as everyone here. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to afford most things. So thank you," Bell told her.

"You're talking as if you're saying your goodbyes," Mia pointed out.

Bell chuckled as he took another sip of ale. "I don't believe in goodbyes, but I guess this is just a see you later."

Mia let out a sad smile as she wiped the counter down. She was gonna miss the kid. "So I'm guessing you're off to be an adventurer. To dive into the dungeon and become stronger while also making money in the process."

Bell finished his ale, setting it back down on the counter. "Yeah, something like that. Well, I best head home. Maria will be wondering where I am."

Bell got up to leave, but Mia put a hand on his shoulder. Bell looked up at the smiling dwarf woman who had done so much for him.

"Take care of yourself, Bell, and remember to visit a lot so Syr doesn't get lonely," Mia told him.

Bell nodded his head, and when Mia let go of him, he walked to Syr. Anna and her family had already left, and Ryu headed home to the stardust garden. Which meant only Bell and Syr remained after Mia had just left.

"I overheard your conversation. Are you not coming back" Syr quietly asked.

Bell shook his head. "No, I'll come back, but as a patron, not an employee."

Syr hugged him, and Bell hugged her back.

"I'll miss you," she quietly said.

"I'll visit every day so you won't feel as lonely," Bell told her.

"You promise," Syr asked, her voice muffled by Bell's shirt.

"I promise," Bell answered.

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Bell yawned as he opened the door to the ruined church. He felt an odd sense of peace but also sadness at what had transpired. But he knew he couldn't get stronger and work at the hostess at the same time. There weren't enough hours in the day for that.

He had changed clothes at the hostess and was no longer in his suit, but he had it stored in his inventory in case he ever needed to use it again. It was also a gift from Syr, so it was important to him.

Bell yawned again as the moonlight shone through a hole in the roof. Just something he'd have to get fixed when he earned more money.

Taking his spot at the wall, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

Only for them to shoot open as he sensed someone watching him.

"You're home late, Bell. Here I was thinking you'd be excited to know I was back," A female voice called out.

"Yeah, I'm the one late. You're the one that's been gone a month. Elfy," Bell replied, looking at the girl in front of him.

She had short brown hair and hazel eyes. She had a cute face with a purple robe and purple skirt underneath. Her robe was held up by a white sash tied around her shoulders.

"Aw, are you saying you didn't miss me" Elfy fake pouted?

Bell pushed himself off and walked up to Elfy. "I never said that. Now come here. It's been a while," Bell said as he gave Elfy a hug.

Elfy reciprocated the hug. She was finally home and with her best friend again.

Well, that's the end of this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it, and for those of you that know about Syr, it's going to be a gut punch for Bell.

Anyway later.