Oh hello! Here is another chapter! I had planned on making this chapter a bit bigger, but I ended up putting alot more into this chapter than orginally planned. I had planned on this chapter being the Minotaur fight... but ended up being even better! So yea! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Oh! And I have a beta now! Its Thrivean from the reviews! He has been very helpful in giving ideas and helping me plan things out. So right now, we have a new harem update. Right now, as of this moment. Its:
Loki, Riveria, Tiona, Wiene, Ryuu, Freya. That right now is the current Harem and it may stay like that. He's going to get a party too! A good one!
I won't reveal the party until later, as I dont wanna spoil it too much but it'll probably be a big surprise! Anyways! ENJOY!
The next morning arrived without much else. Bell went home, hid in his bed, got his dinner when he knew it was empty to do so. He kept away from his Goddess as much as he could, wanting nothing more than to crawl into his bed and disappear after the embarrassment that he caused himself with Ryuu. It's not that he regretted what he said, but it was just the wrong moment… or maybe it was just because he was weak in his mind. He had no confidence and didn't have the strength of mind or soul to really back it up.
With a clench of his fists, Bell walked over to where Welf was waiting. He was sitting on a bench outside of Babel and the dungeon, waiting patiently for Bell. Bell approached and Welf smiled.
"Hey there Little Man. I heard you got really banged up but I also heard you only got hurt because you saved a bunch of people. Way to go!" Welf grinned, giving Bell a thumbs up. Bell flushed in embarrassment, not used to being complimented.
"I-It was nothing…"
"Nonsense! But, I do see you want a subject change. Just know, I think it was awesome. Anyways, ready for another dungeon dive?"
"Yea!" Bell exclaimed with a bright smile. Bell was looking forward to the Dungeon. "I have really been wanting to go back down. I need to be stronger, so I'm going to try extra hard!"
"Well, don't overexert yourself. I don't want to have to be the one to carry you out." Welf teased. Bell huffed a bit in indignation.
"I won't! Everything will be fine!" Bell exclaimed which only got Welf to laugh.
"I was just playing. Anyways, shall we?" Welf replied, grinning. Bell flushed again in embarrassment but it went away very quick.
"Yes, let's get stronger together." Bell said firmly, before walking off to the dungeon with Welf beside him.
The 10th floor was breached. A new record set for the young man, Bell took a seat on a large boulder along a cliff set on the misty 10th floor. It was nearly identical as the 8th and 9th floor, but it was covered in a heavy mist. Welf took a seat next to him, putting his weapon down as they both relaxed. Welf grinned over at Bell.
"Wow, we really powered through those floors. You're getting stronger and stronger. That fight with the Silverback must have really helped."
"It's not all me. You did a lot! You're really strong too!" Bell exclaimed.
"Ah well, I am getting close to leveling up, so I do appreciate the compliment, but you are also really strong yourself. It would have taken me nearly all day to get down here by myself. Depending on the spawn, I may have gotten stopped around the 7th floor." Welf grinned. "You're the reason we got this far."
"Still…"
"Ah don't fret. I understand you aren't used to praise. Well, I think its time we head back up right? I believe it's already passed lunch. Should we eat and make the return?"
"Yea that sounds good. I want to get an update on my status when I get home. When do you wanna come back down again?"
"I'm free tomorrow afternoon." Welf nodded.
"So we could probably get to level 6?"
"I think that should suffice. Would be a good quick trip for some experience. Speaking of experience… I have not seen so much drop items before." Welf glanced behind him, looking at the large bag that he had brought, seeing it quite full with drop items and their monster crystals.
"I… is it not common to get drop items?"
"Not really no. Drop items are very rare and tend to go for a lot of Valis. I can also create weapons and armor with drop items too."
"Really? Hmm. Maybe we could create something out of what we got?" Bell offered, looking a little hopeful. Welf grinned and nodded.
"Sure thing. What you looking for?"
"Hmmm. I could use another knife… but also stronger armor… but we could wait until this armor fails? So yea. A knife would work… well… then again. If I get stronger armor… then I'll be able to keep going longer. Yea armor!" Bell nodded rapidly. Welf laughed softly at Bell's thinking and his backtracking, before nodding.
"I think that sounds like a good idea. With how we are progressing, we should probably wait on creating another weapon from something in the middle floors, should something good drop. We can always purchase a cheaper knife until then. Hmmm. I noticed we got a purple moth wing… and a needle rabbits tusk. Hmm. I think imma give you a combination of a weapon and an armor. OOOH! And the Kobolds nail and the Goblins fang we got earlier will also help. Didn't we also get a finger blade from a shadow?"
"Yeah I think so. I think we had two."
"Alright, I think with all this, I can make something for you that I think will be helpful since you are an up close fighter. It'll take me a bit though on the surface, but I promise it'll be worth it."
"Not a problem! Want to make it after tomorrow?"
"Nah. I can do it tonight. Tomorrow morning I was going to do some Smithing but if I do it tonight, we could hit the dungeon earlier tomorrow and try to get further?"
"Are you sure? I don't want to mess up your plans!"
"Not at all! This is actually a benefit here. Using these items will improve my Smithing more than just what I was gonna do in the morning. Plus, what I plan to make will be my first time making it. It'll be challenging, but that purple Moth wing gave me an idea."
"Doesn't the purple moth eventually cause poison if you get hit enough?"
"Exactly. I'm thinking we can concentrate the poison and cause some real damage!"
"Wouldn't it be better to just end the fight quicker instead of relying on poison?" Bell asked. Welf shook his head.
"While yes, it is better, you never know if you might face an opponent that just wont go down so quickly. Poison will weaken the opponent over time, making it easier to fight. Think about it. You fight that Silverback again… you hit it and poison it a few times, it'll become weak like a goblin eventually!" Welf exclaimed. Bell thought about it and nodded.
"Oh I see. Better to have it and not need it." Bell started only for Welf to interrupt.
"Then need it and not have it." Welf finished. "Correct. Though, I do apologize. I did promise that I'd start tonight, but this project may take longer than just tonight. I'd have to spend a day doing it. Would you be okay if we not do the dungeon together tomorrow?" Bell nodded rapidly.
"Of course! You aren't obligated to go with me!" Bell said, waving his hands side to side frantically in an attempt to convince Welf. Welf snickered.
"Good. Let me work on this tomorrow and probably the next day. Let's meet… hmm. Let's meet this weekend in four days. Don't go too crazy in the dungeon alright?"
"Yes sir!" Bell said excitedly. He was going to get a hand crafted pierce of equipment just for him! Welf snickered at his excitement.
"Alright, let's head back." Welf stated, getting up and grabbing the bag, before both started to head back.
Down in the 19th floor, a beautiful adult Vouivre could be found running. Ducking and dodging through the trees, vines, bushes and other assorted jungle plants, the beautiful woman had frightened eyes. Behind her, were five men and women, holding different weapons.
"COME ON! Get her! An adult Vouivre will fetch a valuable sum!" Spoke one of the men.
"She's fast! This one must be smart to know when to run!" Spoke a woman.
"HAH! No monster is that smart! Just an instinct! She's an animal and all animals eventually get caught!" Spoke another man.
'Someone please. Save me!'
After Bell departed from Welf at Babel, letting Welf distribute the Vali's earned between the pair, while keeping most of the monster items for his blacksmithing, Bell walked over to the Mistress, standing before the pub. He would have normally went in, but he remembered what he said to Ryuu and he immediately chickened out. With a bright red face, he turned and slinked away back to the Manor. Watching from the second floor, Ryuu who was off the clock for the night, stared down at Bell. She sighed softly.
'Bell…'
Arriving at the Manor, Bell came home to a rowdy house! Loki was partying with laughter and booze throughout. The expedition had returned! Loki turned and grinned, a bit drunk.
"EYYY! If it isn't my little Rabbit!" Loki exclaimed, lifting a glass of wine. "They are back from their small expedition! It's been too long!"
"It's only been a few days." Riveria scolded, coming from the kitchen with a glare, before it softened. She smiled at Bell a bit. "Welcome back Bell. Did your dungeon go well?"
"Y-yes Miss… Mama Riveria…" Bell replied, not expecting them to be back, nor was he expecting to be given such attention as soon as he got home. He was not used to being part of this amazing Familia. Riveria's eyes narrowed.
"Don't you call me that too." Riveria scolded, but Loki grinned.
"Nah nah! Mama Riveria is right! Good on you Bell! Hahaha!"
"Silence you." Riveria said, only to look back towards Bell but Bell had escaped! Bell disappeared up the stairs, though Riveria caught his movement, watching him run up the spiral staircase. Loki also noticed, watching as the white hair disappeared beyond the rails. Loki frowned and was about to speak up, but Riveria did first. "He still has no confidence." She said quietly.
"I have a feeling he's used to being treated horribly. Not used to kindness or what a proper family is."
"Unless he opens up, we'll never know what his childhood was like, though I was under the impression that his Grandfather was a good guy?"
"What about the times he wasn't with his Grandfather?" Loki pointed out. "That being said, he'll be alright. In time, he will become a true part of this Familia." Riveria almost spoke up but Loki lifted her hand to stop her. "He is very much a true part of this Familia, but I meant in the sense he gets involved. I wouldn't worry too much though. Soon, very soon, he will gain his confidence. Tiona will play a big part in that."
"So you noticed that too huh… He's going to get a crash course in how Amazon's work once he levels up." Riveria said, before both Goddess and Elf chuckled.
At the tallest floor of Babel, stood the Goddess Freya. She was wearing her normal lewd red outfit. She had a glass of wine in her left hand, while her right hand was under her chin. She hummed a bit before sighing.
"That was such a pitiful display, don't you think?"
"It's been a few days and you are still thinking about your plan?"
"I was expecting much more from him yet… that aura still remains the same… Hmm. Wonder if he is still worth it…?"
"Perhaps some assistance might be needed." Ottar suggested.
"Oh? Still think he might show something? I knew you'd see his worth." Ottar merely grunted in response. He didn't hate the kid, but he didn't like the fact that Freya's attention was almost solely on him. He watched as Freya walked around towards the bookcase, pulling out a dark leather bound book. She tapped the top of the binding against her chin before handing it to Ottar. "I think this might give him a good push in the right direction. I can trust you with this right?" She teased her captain. Ottar gave a nod.
"Anything my Lady." Ottar took the book, disappearing from the room shortly after. Freya turned back to the window, approaching it before looking at Loki's manor.
"I can't wait to see what else you can show me… Mmm Bell Cranel.~" Freya cooed.
Bell shuddered, glancing out towards a certain part of the wall.
'Why do I always feel like I am being stared at…?'
Loki turned and smiled.
"Aisy-poo! What is this I hear about you leaving for the dungeon already so soon?!"
"I want to try something down there. I hope it's enough to level me up." Ais replied. Loki raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Well, make sure to take Riveria then, just in case. I trust that you'll do just fine though." She stated to the Sword Princess. Ais nodded, heading off to find the Elf. Loki sighed and looked back up towards Bell's room.
'Get strong soon…'
The next morning came and Bell opened his eyes, letting out a yawn. He sat up on the bed, looking around his room.
'I'm such a coward…' Bell thought, looking at his lap. 'Maybe… Maybe I should go talk to Ryuu? No… I can't. I need to get stronger first. I must get stronger… and as soon as I am stronger, then I can earn the right to even speak to her after what I did.' Bell thought, clenching his fists before getting up. He started putting on his adventuring clothes, being a brown jean like pants, a quick t-shirt followed by a cheap leather jacket. His armor came next, before he put on the arm bands on each bicep, where his cable was coiled up at. His knife came next, placing it into a sheath along his lower back. He stared into the mirror that was on the wall next to the wooden dresser. He stared into the mirror and clenched his fists. 'I will get stronger. I cannot give up. Just wait everyone… I will show you all!'
A knock on his door woke him up from his pep talk. He immediately opened it and a medium height man stood in the door with a book in his arms.
"This came in the mail for you." He told Bell, who looked at him curiously. The man had short and spiky black hair. He had brown eyes and was wearing some casual clothes. "We haven't met, but I am in charge of the second party. I am Raul." He replied. Bell nodded dumbly. "Well, it looks like you are trying to get out of here… so I won't hold you up…" Bell blinked as Raul walked away, leaving to the stairs. Bell shook his head to clear the fog.
"U-uh! Thank you!" He called out from his bedroom. Raul smiled but said nothing. Bell took the book, sitting down on the bed with a sigh. 'Someone… mailed me this?' Bell took a seat on his bed, staring at the book that was given to him. He brushed his hand over the cover of the large tome. "Modern Magic That Even A Goblin Can Do." Bell said out loud. "Hmmm. Well this is an interesting title. Wonder what its about?" Bell opened the book once he got comfortable in his bed, sighing softly.
"There are two types of magic… Inherited and Acquired. Inherited Magic depends on your race and your blood line. Acquired magic is dependent on your Falna, or the blessing of a God. Acquired magic differs greatly from Inherited. The elves are magical beings who are adept at using magic. They are the best example of inheritance. Acquired magic is self actualized magic. It comes from within. Shall we begin?" Bell read out loud, before blinking. "This is a strange book…" He then continued to read.
"What interests you? What do you love? Hate? Desire? Grieve? Respect?" Bell read. "Where does your devotion lie? The trigger must come from within." Bell read, as the words he read began to disappear from the pages… literally! His eyes slowly rolled up into his head as his world began to change. He heard his voice speaking the words on the pages, but it wasn't him!
"It's time to get started…. What does the word magic mean to me?" Spoke his other self. Bell looked around as he stood in a field of blue flowers, within a valley. Snow capped mountains surrounded this valley on all sides. It wasn't a memory, but it felt familiar.
"Power. A weapon against evil. Justice. A power… to wield against weakness. My weakness. To cast aside this weakness and become strong."
"What does magic look like to me?" The other Bell asked. The real Bell looked up into the sky as storm clouds gathered. Lightning streaked across the sky, thunder booming around. The rain fell around him, but it didn't soak him… he felt comfortable.
'Grandpa! It's scary out there!'
'It's nothing to be scared of Bell! That is the sound of nature… the sound of power. Did you ever hear about the legendary God, Zeus?'
'You've told me about him many times! He's so cool!'
'That he was… is… he could wield the fury of a storm you know… He cast down his lightning bolts, smiting all evil in this world.'
'I see… so there is nothing bad about the storm?'
'Of course not. Think of it this way… every time you see a Storm… think of it as evil being smited and you'll never have to worry.'
"Lightning. Hot. Fast. Mesmerizing. The opposite of the weak person that I am."
"And what is it you seek to become?" Bell didn't respond, but the images of Tiona, Riveria, Ryuu and Loki flashed through his mind.
"Strong. Fast. I want to be worthy of their kindness. Their adoration. I wish to catch up to them…"
"Is that all?" The other side asked.
"Of course not." Bell responded, before smiling as the image of the Argonaut story book appeared in his mind. "I would like… I want to be a hero. Like the stories I used to read. For… for Grandpa to call me a hero. To be the hero that won't stop. Won't ever give up. To always do the right things… even if all would cast me aside. I wish to be a HERO!"
"Haha. How childish!"
"Perhaps so… but that's just me! I will be a HERO!" Bell exclaimed, before he felt a pleasurable jolt flash through his body. Bell screamed, before his eyes opened. He was in his room! He took a deep breath before looking around, only to freeze when he spotted Loki standing in the doorway, an eyebrow raised. "G-Goddess!"
"Well, isn't that interesting. I come into your room after knocking ten times… only to find you in a trance and then you scream as if you just got stabbed. Something I should know?"
"I… I'm not sure. I was… reading a book… and I think… I fell asleep? I… I don't know what happened." Bell replied, blinking his eyes rapidly in confusion. Loki kept a brow raised before humming.
"Riiiiight. Well, I came in to see if you would like to update your status."
"Oh… That would be lovely! Please!" Loki smirked before strolling it, watching as Bell removed his upper armor and his shirt, before laying down on his stomach. She watched with amusement as he was no longer shy about getting topless. She climbed up onto his back before gently pricking her finger, dropping the blood onto Bell's back. His Falna lit up.
Child: Bell Cranel.
Familia: Loki
Strength: 130-H → 200 G
Endurance: 380-F → 450-E
Dexterity: 270-G → 350 - F
Agility: 650-C → 743 → B
Magic: 50- I → 150-H
Skills:
Liaris Freese: Fast growth as long as the user is in love. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings. As a side effect it makes the user immune to charms
Rabbits foot: Increased Luck. Experience gain and increased Monster drops as well as increased probability.
History's Greatest Loser: Every hit taken. Every scratch. Every bite. Every loss. The user gains knowledge, skill, foresight to fight stronger opponents.
Magic: Lightning Bolt Instant Cast.
"What the hell…" Loki muttered. "Guess that skill is better than I thought…" She continued to mutter. Bell blinked. "Well that is something." Loki stated. Bell looked over his shoulder.
"What is it Goddess?"
"Well. It looks like you gained a magic spell." Loki had to squeeze her thighs after saying that cause Bell attempted to twist and turn to face her.
"REALLY?! I CAN USE MAGIC NOW!? OH THAT'S AWESOME!" Bell exclaimed, full of excitement as he tried to face Loki. Loki gently swatted Bell on the back of the head.
"Will you stop squirming?! I'M ON TOP OF YOU!" Loki yelled, her thighs clenching onto his hips. Bell immediately went still, allowing Loki to copy his stats, minus his skills, handing him the paper.
"It's… It's… IT'S MY FIRST MAGIC SPELL. OH ITS LIGHTNING BOLT TOO!"
"I never thought you'd pick up a magic ability ya know. I mean, you always had the potential, but even so, it's very rare." Loki said, leaning back on her arms on Bell's bed.
"Goddess…"
"Hmmm?"
"Goddess!"
"What is it?"
"GODDESS! I can use magic now! You see! My first magic spell! Oh thank you thank you thank you!" Bell exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Loki's shoulders with a tight squeeze, laughing heartily. Loki was surprised at the exuberance, but only for a moment. She gently patted his shoulders.
"Yes yes, you can use magic now. There there." Loki cooed, trying to calm him as if he was a child. "Look Kid. In nearly every case I've ever heard of… Magic requires you to cast a spell. You speak its chant and the magic happens. The longer the chat, the more powerful it becomes. That being said… it looks like you are a special case. You can instantaneously use your magic spell. Now, I can't prove that… but I believe that is the case. It might be a good idea for you to test it in the dungeon." Loki said. 'I think I'm forgetting something…' Bell nodded rapidly smiling brightly.
"Of course! I will go right now! It's still early right?!" Bell asked as he got dressed in his shirt and armor in record time, before rushing out of the room.
"Yes yes. You can go now. Just be back for supper!" Loki yelled at Bell who was already gone. "Jeez. That child…"
Bell ran all the way towards Babel, ducking, dodging and weaving between the crowds, rushing past the Mistress, past a few pharmacies, past tons of different food stands. He didn't once stop as he ran towards his goal, his excitement. He was one step closer to being the Hero he always wanted to be!
Arriving on the third floor, Bell grinned. A goblin appeared.
"ALRIGHT! Let's see what I can do! LIGHTNING BOLT!" Bell exclaimed as he extended his right fist out towards the Goblin, with his index and middle finger extended outwards. An arc of Lightning formed at his shoulder, arcing down his body before shooting forth from his finger tips. The lightning bolt was a large blue… bolt of lightning. It impacted with the Goblin, immediately incinerating it, leaving a crystal. "No… way… THAT WAS AWESOME! AHAHAHA!" He spotted more and more monsters being summoned by the dungeon. "Alright! Let's do this! LIGHTNING BOLT! LIGHTNING BOLT! LIGHTNING BOLT! LIGHTNING BOLT! LIGHTNING BOLT!" Bell exclaimed, sending countless bolts of lightning into his enemies, dropping enemy after enemy. Countless crystals laid behind him. His laughter could be heard throughout all the floors, all the way down to floor 59! That's how much fun he was having. Of course his laughter was only heard in the floor he was on, but he was happy!
Reaching the fifth floor in record time, Bell ended up at a fork in the road. Three paths ahead of him and the one behind him. "Ah… I… went further than I should've… probably should… head... back." Bell said slowly, only to fall backwards as his eyelids shuddered. Bell had passed out.
Freya sighed with a smile. "Such a pure soul… running off after learning magic then actually using it like it was a toy. Aaaaah. Ottar." Freya spoke, glancing into the window as if it was a mirror, looking at Ottar.
"Yes my Lady?"
"I want you to prepare something for him. I need him stronger… Find his worst nightmare, train it and bring it up tomorrow. I think we'll be getting an amazing show."
"Yes my lady."
It didn't take long, but footsteps could be heard coming from one of the forks in the road as well as a voice… a very familiar voice.
"You… wow. Just wait until we get back and tell everyone. You defeated a floor boss all by yourself." Riveria spoke, very much in surprise. "I think you may have just earned a level up. Way to go." Riveria complimented. She wasn't much into compliments, but what Ais did was outstanding. They both arrived in the middle of the road. Riveria froze up for a moment at spotting a body in the road. "Oh no…" She muttered, immediately rushing forward. She collapsed onto her knees and put her hand over Bell's mouth. Ais approached.
"That's… Bell. Is he…?"
"He's fine. He's breathing… I think he's just going through a mind down."
"He can use magic?"
"Apparently so… He must have used magic without actually knowing the risks…" She stated, only to put a hand on her forehead. "Why do I have the feeling our Goddess is somehow responsible for this…" She sighed. "You should head back. I'll take it from here." She stated, looking back at Ais. "I'll be fine." Ais nodded, before heading off. She left Riveria alone, allowing her to take care of Bell.
"Such a pain in my ass… You and Loki both." Riveria muttered, picking Bell up as if he was nothing but feathers. "Going to have to scold the both of you." She shook her head.
Bell had gained a new magic but will learn a valuable lesson in acting rashly. The Nine Hells lecture approaches!
Read. Review. Moo.