Here we go.

I woke up bright and early today. Mama let me head straight to bed after the Loki familia finished their party so I'm not tired at all for once despite the unpleasant wake up call of sunrise.

Gods… the Loki familia is amazing! The stories they told were fantastic! I almost ditched my plans entirely to join up with them! They told me lots of stories about the upper floors. Including an interesting tale about something called a "Jack Bird" that only spawns on the first floor. Apparently it drops an item that sells for two million Valis.

Two MILLION! That would solve my money problems for a really long time!

Mr. Deimne was apparently a supporter when he first started adventuring but when he stumbled upon the jack bird one day while trying to gain Excelia, he found himself with enough money to buy some decent gear and switched rolls. Eventually he grew strong enough that he became the captain of his familia.

It was an incredible story to hear, especially since his motivation was the same as mine!

But while that was an amazing story of rising from the bottom, the brief conversation I had with lady Riveria, who was the last to leave, caught my interest far more…

"Hm? How do elves cast magic without a falna?" Her voice was questioning, I guess she would be curious as to why I want to know such an obscure and, to most people, obsolete piece of knowledge.

"Yes lady Riveria. I've been reading up on magic lately and was curious if it's different than casting spells with a falna."

She closed her eyes, probably thinking about whether or not she'll answer, or maybe figuring out how to word it instead?

"I see…" she said after a few moments "To start, its not necessarily that elves can cast spells, but more that they can use their closer relationship to spirits and nature to have them cast a spell. The two can't really be compared."

Huh? "I'm sorry, I don't really understand…"

Lady Riveria sighed "Elves, and high elves especially, are naturally closer to spirits and nature than humans are which allows them, to a certain extent communicate with them. Is that a little easier to understand?"

I nodded. I think I get it now. "So then it's something like praying for a blessing from a god, but it's a spell from a spirit instead?" I asked. That would explain it… They wouldn't see a spell circle because they simply aren't casting a spell, they're borrowing one from something else.

Riveria nodded "That sounds about right. If we bump into each other again at the library, I'd love to discuss the topic more then. For now though I need to help with preparations for the expedition tomorrow."

Oh shoot, I was wasting her time! " Ah, sorry! I didn't mean to trouble you!" I could feel my back protest to the speed that I bowed.

Luckily, a light giggle graced my ears "Think nothing of it. I'm always willing to teach others a little bit about magic." And with that, she left.

What a lovely person…

I can't help the smile that comes to my face thinking back on it as I finish putting on my new clothes for the dungeon.

Sturdy, loose brown pants, a thin but strong black undershirt to fit under my armor so it doesn't pinch at my skin, black boots that are clearly solid enough to go through the rigors of adventuring and finally a surprisingly light but, according to Mama, self repairing leather jacket to put over my armor.

Apparently its something she once wore when she was an adventurer that she had modified to fit me. Which explains why the bottom of the jacket reaches the back of my knees. I was told to leave it open so it won't compromise my agility, and also…

"Doesn't it look cooler that way?"

I guess Mama cares more about appearances than I thought…

Anyways, that enough admiring my new clothes, I've gotta get to Babel to collect my new gear! I swear, I almost flew down the stairs on my way out of the Hostess. Mama is apparently making a supply run this morning so I'm on my own this time around so I kept my sprint all the way to the tower, into the elevator and only stopping when selecting the seventh floor in the elevator.

As I catch my breath in the marvel of magic stone technology, I can't help but smile. Weapons and armor are key to an adventurer and their smith needs to be skilled enough to keep up with them. At least that's normally the case, I have it backwards though.

I somehow stumbled my way into having a contract with Pandora, the first woman created by all the collective effort of an entire pantheon and the best blacksmith in Orario. Only full gods like Hephaestus or Svarog could claim to be better, which means that I have to work harder than ever to keep up with her so she doesn't need to hurt her own pride by making inferior gear for me.

I can't make her wait too long… I guess that's yet another reason for me to push to get stronger.

Engraving yet another silent promise in my heart, I stepped out of the elevator, almost running into someone translucent. Wait, translucent?

"YoU arE NoT rEAdy. If YOu dEsIRe STRenGth SeEk ThE aRcANe DEPTHS"

I whip my head around, just to see that whatever it was, had vanished in the brief moment my eyes had left it.

What was that thing? I've heard of a lot of beings and races but the only creatures that are translucent are specters and… "Spirits?" I whisper to myself.

It couldn't have been a spirt though, other than the minor ones in the fae forests, they vanished a long time ago. Even assuming it was a spirit, what type of spirit was that and why would it speak to me? What did it mean by what it said? Actually, what did it look like again?

"Hey! Are you listening Bell?!" a melodious, yet perturbed voice woke me back up to the real world

I quickly bowed "I'm sorry Lady Pandora! I was lost in thought!"

The short woman bent down, giving me a generous view of her swinging cleav- Nope! My head shot back up and I stared straight at the ceiling "Hehe, you're too much fun to tease! I might even get addicted to it~"

I feel a blush rise to my face. I somehow feel like I'm in incredible danger but I also don't really want to be out of it… Oh well, I need to get down to business "Please don't tease me Lady Pandora… I need to meet with my supporter for noon." I said.

"Oh fine, spoil my fun… I'll have you make it up to me another time." She said with an adorable pout, resting her hands on her revealed hips. It seems today she's decided to wear a shirt with two diamond cut outs near her hips "Come on in, lets get your armor sorted first."

Following her into the room, I can't help but notice that it's organized completely differently than last time.

The entire area is organized less like a forge and more like a dressing room with a chest in the middle and a mannequin beside it garbed in a set of dark grey light plated armor.

The covered areas are the shins, thighs, chest, back, shoulders and fore arms. It seems Pandora took a minimalistic approach to the armor, covering only what's absolutely necessary to keep things light and mobile.

"Its perfect…" the words spilled from my lips without even thinking about them. It really is perfect.

The covered areas are protected well but the overall lower protection of the other areas will make it less important because I'll be able to avoid more hits.

Pandora puffed out her chest "Of course its perfect, I made it." She stated and as much as arrogance rubs me the wrong way in general, I can't help but agree with her here. "Now, this is nowhere near the best I can make you so you'd better get strong fast so I can make you some REALLY nice gear."

Bending forward and thrusting her finger into my chest, she delivered the order, calling it a request would be an understatement, in a tone that's filling me with dread.

Quickly bobbing my head as fast as I can, I hurried to placate her "I promise! I don't want you to feel like you're wasting your skills!"

Pandora scoffed and turned her head slightly "Well, if you know that much then you'll need what's in that chest there too…" she muttered just loud enough for me to hear her.

Kneeling down at the chest sitting next to the armor I began to open it only for the Pandora to step on the lid and hold it shut with a serious expression on her face. Her usual playful arrogance completely missing and instead before me was standing a woman who's watched the eons come and go.

"Bell. Before you take the weapons I made from you, you need to know just what they're made of." Her voice was harsh and I found myself unintentionally straightening up to listen as best as I could "The monster you got these claws from cut through your steel dagger like butter right? But the cleaver made of dungeon iron survived a lot more punishment?"

The question was rhetorical but I nodded anyways "Yeah, it felt like my dagger wasn't even there when I tried to block with it."

"That's to be expected. What you fought was called a Blood Shadow. They're a feral irregularity of a war shadow and are explicitly built for slaughter." The way she's speaking is filling me with an uneasy sense of dread "Your dagger fell apart like an apple before a minotaur because it was made of a human alloy."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, trepidation in my voice.

"Steel, bronze, orichalcum. The three materials of human creation that are used for armor and weapons. None of these occur naturally. They are human alloys. The claws of a Blood Shadow explicitly reject their existence, and so they cut through them with uncanny ease."

I feel a lump in my throat "Does that mean that those swords..?" I left my question open ended.

Pandora nodded "These are fiendish blades Bell. The strongest weapons made by human hands are made of orichalcum, a fusion of mythril and adamantite. These will cut weapons like that easier than they split wood." What the hell did I bring back..? The god crafted woman continued "These swords are somehow both the perfect weapon for your current state, and the antithesis of your goal. Against monsters, they're just really sharp blades that will hold an edge for a damn long time. They won't hinder your growth like an enchanted weapon would as well. Against people though…"

The gravity of what she's saying finally hit me. "They're an easy ticket to slaughter high class adventurers." I finished for her and she nodded.

"I trust your character. One does not get Mia Grande's recommendation without being of stellar moral fiber. So instead of hurling these into the ocean hoping they'll never be found again, I'll let you have them, but there's rules." Pandora looked me dead in the eyes. "Rule one: you tell nobody of their nature. Rule two: I am the only person you ever bring these to for maintenance. And rule three: Only use these for a just cause. Never turn these blades on the innocent."

"If you can promise me that you'll follow these rules, they're yours."

I shift uncomfortably. Should I even take them? I need a weapon, but do I need this specifically? Closing my eyes, I listen to my hearts beating. There isn't a stutter be heard or felt. "I promise to follow your rules." I said finally. I can't insult Pandora's work by just throwing them away and… I can't deny that I want to live up to the expectations she has for me.

She's a cute girl and a legend in the flesh, sue me for wanting to impress her.

The azure haired girl smiled slightly and stepped off of the chest "Good. I'll hold you to that." She said as her smile became impish "Well? What are you waiting for?"

Taking that as my cue I finally lifted the lid and took in the weapons within. The baleful, blood red blades have remained largely unchanged, though they are now a little shorter, just barely longer than a wakazashi, and are affixed to beautifully crafted ebony handles.

Taking them in my hands I appreciated the beauty of their simplicity. Before setting them down and withdrawing the scabbards meant to contain them.

Where as the swords had been simplicity made beautiful, the scabbards are the exact opposite. Crimson wood that I can't identify inlaid with some form of black lacquer depicting what I can only assume to be a monster of some sort with what must be a hundred arms, a hecatoncheires if I remember correctly from my grandpa's stories, facing off against a simple man inlaid with gold.

They're beautiful. "They're amazing…" I trailed off. What more could I say? These are my weapons. MY weapons. Not some standard piece of gear, not some random cleaver I plucked off a monster, the were prepared specifically for me.

Despite their fiendish nature, I can feel the tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I'm- I'm an actual adventurer. It hadn't really sunk in until now that I'm not just pretending anymore. I'm on my way to my dream. I've known since meeting Mama Mia that I'm walking the path, but it's only now that I'm fully understanding that I've taken a step forward on a long, long road.

"Thank you" I said softly, choking up as I did so.

Pandora looked at me with a gentleness I hadn't seen from her before "Bell? Are you okay?" she asked.

Wiping my tears from my eyes I gave her a smile "Yeah, this just means a lot to me is all."

With startling speed, the smith turned around and coughed into her fist "I see. Good. I made them into a pair of kodachi. I also took the liberty of naming them, Ira Diabolus. Devil's Wrath. Not a name befitting a hero's weapon but it really is the only thing I could think of calling them. Just be the devil that exerts its wrath on the unjust and we'll have no problems right?"

The lopsided grin she through over her shoulder caused my heart to skip a beat "Sure thing Pandora."

"No 'lady' this time?" she inquired with a giggle.

I shook my head "Not this time."

"I'll allow it, just this once." She faked an offended expression and turned away again.

The both of us stayed like that for a few seconds before we started laughing. Eons old or not, Pandora is someone who enjoys jokes as much as anyone else it seems.

Gong

Gong

Gong

I heard the bell tower ring out 11 times. Its almost time for me to meet up with Lily. "I guess it's time for me to get going. Could you show me how to put on my armor?" I asked to which Pandora nodded.

As it turns out, it isn't too difficult. Its really just a matter of getting the straps tight enough. Having Pandora's soft but strong hands roaming around my body, touching me all over as she showed me how to do so on the other hand, was significantly more difficult to handle for… less than pure reasons.

Given the smirk she started wearing halfway through the process, I assume she knows exactly what she's doing to me. I am once again reminded just how dangerous this woman is…

Finally Pandora took a step back, looking satisfied with herself. To which I responded with a light hearted glare. Honestly, as… interesting of an experience as it was, I probably wouldn't have been able to last much longer without passing out.

"Thanks for the help…" I muttered as I collected my new kodachi and strapped them to my waist and through my jacket on overtop of it all. Its weird to think that I only have all this because of those claws… wait… Didn't I give one to Yamato before we left the dungeon? "Oh no… this is a problem, I completely forgot what am I supposed to do?!" I can tell my voice is slightly hysteric but I think I can get a pass for it this time.

The azure haired smith grabbed my shoulders "Bell, what's wrong?" she asked

"I-" should I tell her? I already broke my promise before I even made it and- no. I need to tell her "Before I left the dungeon after I beat the blood shadow, I was helped out by a different group of adventurers, they were in the Takemikazuchi familia I believe. To thank them I gave one of their members a claw."

This is really bad… anyone could know about them by now…

"Take eh?" Pandora muttered "Well in that case we don't have much to worry about."

The certainty in her voice takes me aback "How can you be sure?" I ask.

"Well, the Takemikazuchi familia does gear maintenance and forge requests on Tuesdays exclusively and all at once. I'll handle Take. You just go into the dungeon, focus, get stronger and survive. I'll make sure this all works out." Her voice was resolute and it helped reassure me so I nodded and started to leave.

"Oh and Bell?" her voice called after me as I crossed the door's threshold "Thank you for telling me." And just like that the door closed behind me.

I-I can trust Pandora to make things work out. With that in mind, I push it to the back of my thoughts and head to my meeting point with Lily. Time to finally get back into the Dungeon.

The trick to making quick money off rookies is simple. Make them feel bad, and make them indebted. Fresh adventurers, particularly the innocent ones like Bell, rarely understand the cutthroat world they're diving into every time they set foot in the Dungeon.

Lies, theft and murder happen all the time in that hellish maze. Adventurers are creatures that thrive in such a horrid place treating those weaker than them as nothing more than a tool. As a supporter, I need to be prepared to do the same thing.

The less jaded the target, the easier it is to pull the wool over their eyes and rob them blind. If they feel bad, they'll be more willing to agree to concessions, maybe even enough to get a 20/80 split on profits.

Its for the express purpose of making my newest mark easier to work over that I have spent the last hour waiting in front of the Dungeon for Bell to arrive. If he arrives after me, innocent types like him will stutter over their words with the right prompting. Speaking of… where is he? Did he not say noon? The bells' toll have come and gone now and he still isn't here. Did he forget me?

That would be annoying… I'm banking on having a new cash flow soon. Otherwise I'll have to try my luck in my own familia…

I tap my foot impatiently for another five minutes until I finally see a head of stark white hair and ruby eyes. Finally!

Taking a breath to settle into that pathetic act of mine I put my hands on my hips and march up to him with a pout "Mr. Bell! You're late! How could you keep Lily waiting!" bleck, just the taste of those words is like ash. Seriously? Why do people buy this? Who in their right mind actually speaks in the first person?

But, as always, my words have the desired effect as Bell starts blushing and tripping over his words "I-uh-no-but!" this is going to be even easier than I thought it seems "Sorry!" He shouts with a bow, drawing attention from the few patrons milling about at the entrance.

"Mr. Bell! Don't worry, Lily isn't even mad!" I mean, technically that's true. I'm furious. If someone recognizes me there will be problems.

At least it works and Bell stops bowing with a sheepish look on his face "Sorry, I was busy getting the armor and weapons I had made and it went on longer than expected."

Now that he mentions it, I suppose he does look the part of an adventurer now. I hadn't noticed at first but under his large coat he's wearing so very well crafted armor and the swords at his hips just scream payday to me. If he has magic, maybe I can nick them when I eventually make my exit. I wouldn't want to be responsible for his death after all and if he still has a way to defend himself it isn't my fault if he doesn't make it back.

"I see. Mr. Bell really looks like a first class adventurer!" flattery will get you everywhere, ignore the nausea it causes.

"Hehe, you really think so?" he asked and I nodded enthusiastically, I'd lay it on thicker but it might clue him in "Oh right!" He shouted as though he'd forgotten something "I'm new to my current weapons so I was thinking I should stay on the first floor for now to get used to them, it'll give us the chance to get to know each other better too." His smile is blinding.

Ugh, he's a complete newbie isn't he? "Of course Mr. Bell, Lily will handle the magic stones while Mr. Bell gets used to his new weapons." I guess payday will be delayed by a day.

"Great! Let's go then!" Bell was practically vibrating as while he was talking but now he's running towards the dungeon. What is wrong with this kid?

"Mr. Bell! Please wait for Lily!"

I don't know what I expected when I first saw Bell, but a golden goose is somehow exactly what he is, and his antithesis.

As his supporter, I've been spending most of my time a few paces behind him as he walks almost airily through the dark hell that is the dungeon, only picking up the pace when I need to answer one of his questions about my persona.

"Lily is a chienthrope supporter and has been for three years."

"Lily's favorite food is beef stew."

"Lily doesn't have many dislikes."

"Lily carries a crossbow but has only used it once."

I don't know why I, aside from saying I'm a chienthrope, I told him the truth. Maybe it's because he seems to be genuinely trying to get to know me?

No, that's impossible. He's an adventurer. He's just trying to use me and I can't let him get into my head.

Still though… isn't he a little too calm? The air is suffocating, even on just the first floor, but Bell is walking around aimlessly without a care in the world. He seems calmer here then on the surface for the gods' sake!

If he was an incredible adventurer I'd be able to buy it but he isn't! He's clumsy and unfocused! We ran into a group of goblins earlier and he cut himself drawing the blades at his hips! He had tried to pull them both free at once and maybe he underestimated their length, but he drew them up and cut across the leather bottom of his vambrace!

Then, like a complete amateur, he sliced clean through each goblin with such terrible aim that he destroyed their magic crystals and had the gall to laugh that he still needs to get used to his weapons! He's dreadful!

If it weren't for his one redeeming quality I would have left already, never to see him again. That quality though…

"Again?!" he shouted as I collect the fangs from his most recent kills, apparently I missed seeing them myself, with an inaudible sigh.

Luck. He's way too lucky. He's killed ten goblins and of those ten, seven have left behind a drop item. The moment he gets to lower floors he's going to be a menace to the guild's treasury.

Where did that come from? He's pathetic! Why was I thinking he'll make it to lower floors? Even as we move deeper into the dungeon and the various lights the guild had set up appear less and less frequently, he remains airheaded, completely lost in thought.

Nope. I can't take it anymore. I jog to catch up to him "Mr. Bell? Lily has a question."

Bell shook his head "Of course, what's up Lily?" he asked me.

"Why is Mr. Bell so relaxed in the Dungeon?"

The adventurer tilted his head, looking quite like a confused rabbit "What do you mean? The dungeon feels almost welcoming compared to Orario doesn't it?"

Oh god he's serious isn't he? He's an idiot. For the sake of placating him, I nodded and fell back behind him walking a little further until a pair of goblins and a kobold rounded the corner and Bell drew his swords with a fluid ease before dashing in close to his newest victims.

A slash to the throat killed the first goblin, a kick to the back followed by a quick stab through its magic stone handled the second and Bell turned his attention to the now lone kobold. The dog headed creature tried to resist its fate, but Bell stepped into the swing of its claws, the attack glancing off his chest plate and stabbed his sword through its head from under its jaw, covering him in ichor in the process, not that he seemed to care.

What just happened? Just hours ago he was struggling just to draw his weapons and now he's using them like he's carried them for weeks. As I collect the drop items, because of course they all dropped something, I glance at Bell, airheaded once more, his eyes unfocused as he looks at nowhere in particular.

Things that happen around this kid are too weird. Even if he was some kind of prodigy, there's no way he could have gotten so skilled in so little time. He must have some kind of skill that's helping him and causing all these items to drop.

I'll stick around until I have enough to manage for a while, then I'm gone. I don't want to be caught in whatever mess he's going to be involved in. I do what I need to survive. Bell is probably planning to use me as a scape goat when his skill comes to light to take the eyes off of himself.

I can't let him do that. The Soma familia would have a field day with me if that happened, I'd never be able to leave. So to protect myself, I'll use him until I can get away with all my spoils.

"Hey Lily, I think it's time to head back." Bell said, a bit of disappointment in his voice for some reason.

"Okay Mr. Bell!"

I am Liliruca Arde, I do not get caught in unnecessary messes. I will look after myself and I will survive, just like I always have. That's all there is to it.

Sorry it took me a bit, still getting back to things but this chapter was 4.5k before this end spiel so I'm still making the chapters longer. My goal is eventually to be working at 8-10k each.

In this chapter a lot happened, some of it might be a little hard to find, but it'll make sense eventually. Pandora… Honestly I really enjoy writing her. It's fun for me to be able to write someone childish but serious. I smile every time I write her character lol. Lily on the other hand… It is unbelievably hard for me to write her perspective.

In canon she's an incredibly sharp, jaded mind hiding behind a façade to protect herself. I'm doing my absolute best to keep that true while also keeping in mind that I can't just use her canon development because she won't be falling in love with Bell here.

Speaking of Bell, I was finally able to give you all some insight as to how other people would see the way he interacts with the dungeon. Namely like he's insane. In the coming chapters we'll get back into Bell's perspective for the dungeon, but I wanted this first dive with his new weapons to be from outside his perspective before we get Bell's perspective on his skills.

Now then, the title for next chapter will be "Lily of the Valley" make with that what you will.

Finally a few reviews I want to respond to, this will go into a little bit more detail regarding the future of this story, no spoilers, but just general information about it.

-JackBlaze123: Bell's past will be looked into more as the chapters go by but Bell is without a doubt, an unreliable narrator. As for Syr/Freya, he won't be joining her familia unfortunately, I've seen a lot of stories that do it very well but that isn't the purpose of this story in particular. I hope you continue to enjoy the story even knowing that. I don't dislike Freya, but in this story, an interesting thing that was added in canon about her has become a significant part of this story's world building and because of that, pairing her with Bell is not in the cards.

-stevenpiskunov2: I don't know necessarily about Wiene just yet, but canon is something I've wanted to talk about for a while. I will not be following it to the letter at all. There are some events set in motion before Bell's arrival in Orario that simply cannot reasonably be changed by his own differences yet. For example, while Bell met the Loki familia early, they're still going to go on their expedition, and the fifth floor minotaur is still going to happen because meeting a waiter once over a meal would have no effect on that. Monsterphilia is still going to be an event, but it won't be the same because Freya has no interest in Bell so she wouldn't charm the silverback. After that, nothing is set in stone anymore so I'll have more freedom to change things as I see fit. I hope that answers your question.

-Cloackn: I hope this chapter has resolved a bit of your confusion regarding magic circles, or at least got you thinking on what the true reasons could be. Nobody in this story is perfect, even less so it's writer, and Bell is trying to solve a problem that is completely in uncharted waters. He will have theories come and go, some closer to the truth than others until he fully solves it. I hope you enjoyed seeing Lily (I know canonically she goes by Lili but it's a personal preference of mine to use Lily) this way. She sounds a little like a two bit villain in this chapter to be honest but I promise, I'm not trying to spite her. She just has no reason to trust or be nice to Bell yet. Especially watching him wander aimlessly through the dungeon and with an extra year under the Soma familia.