Waking up I was greeted by a strange man poking at my chest. Opening my eyes groggily to get a better look at him, I saw he wasn't actually so strange. A handsome man with blue eyes and hair. A man who radiated a godly aura. This must be Miach.

"Ah, and so he's finally awake. We were getting worried for you." The healing god said with a charming grin.

"Worried? How long was I out?" I asked as I tried to get up, but was gently pushed down by Miach.

"I wouldn't recommend getting up just yet. You've been unconscious for the past three days." He said softly trying to calm me, but his words did just the opposite.

"Three days!?" I yipped. The Loki familia had to be heading on their expedition now and I had only created ten supporters. No, forget the Loki familia, Hestia and Eina were going to kill me. "What even happened?"

"Well I can't speak for what happened to you in the dungeon, Bell was far too tired to explain to me and Aiz.. Well she isn't the talkative type." Miach said before taking a deep breath, "But as for your condition... whatever happened to you in the dungeon scarred you deeply."

That was concerning, but giving what happen in the dungeon it would make since that I wouldn't have gotten out unharmed. Last I remember, I was being eaten by a dragon and then some edgy assassin guy tried to kill me. "So what's the damage Miach?"

"Well the good news is that you are physically alright. The bad news is that whatever you did in that dungeon caused your soul to, well, cannibalize itself." He said causing my heart to jump. Seeing how I reacted Miach quickly put his hands up and smiled nervously, "It's stopped since then, you're going to be alright. You just... shouldn't ever do that again or we gods might not be able to reincarnate you."

Okay, no more pulling on magic or my soul is fubar. That's pretty scary, but not unmanageable. All I needed to do was never ever fight anything with magic resistance ever again. For that matter I shouldn't go into the dungeon alone if somebody is actively hunting me. Actually no there was two. Whoever attacked me on the higher floors wasn't trying to kill me at least, but what possible reason could someone have for leaving me on the eighteenth floor? The terrorists shouldn't even be aware of my existence and if they were they would have just killed me. I mean that would explain the assassins guy, but... Man, how am I going to deal with Hestia and Eina?

"So how are Bell and Hestia?" I asked already dreading the answer I would receive. Miach chuckled softly rubbing the back of his head. Ominous.

"She was furious for the first two days, but she did come by yesterday and looked much calmer." He said with a smile. My heart sank. Miach no, that's not a good thing. Hell hath no wrath like a woman's scorn. Hestia wasn't just a woman either, she was a goddess. "Bell calmed down since I told him you would recover and your girlfriend has been checking up on you practically every other hour."

"Thank you Miach." I said despondently.

"If you need anything just ask. Naaza will just be in the other room while I go let Hestia know you're up. Oh and before I leave another one of your friends told me to give this to you." The god said pulling a simple looking iron ring from his pocket and handed it to me.

Taking the ring I felt a faint trace of magic, if only just. Immediately I knew it must have been Welf that dropped it off. As Miach left the room I began reciting the chants for Identify. After an hour of concentrated chants and hand gestures I found that the enchantment wasn't real. The magic I felt from the ring was just that. Magic. Like it was simply being stored inside of the ring. Credit where credit is due. He created a magic ring in like four days when previously it was thought impossible.

'Pride, you there?' I asked mentally. It took a moment for my familiar to respond, but eventually he did.

'I was wondering when you'd get your lazy butt up'

'Pride I was nearly eaten by a dragon... and assassinated.'

'Pfft, as if a measly dragon could bring down the one mighty enough to summon me.'

I couldn't help but groan at his response. I nearly died and Pride just brushed it off.

'How is Hestia?'

'Angry last I saw. I'm watching over Dionysus right now though.'

'I nearly forgot about him. Anything suspicious?'

'Not really he just seems like a good guy. I think it would be better if I was watching literally anyone else.'

'We don't really have any other suspects so you should just stick with me'

As I finished speaking to Pride I heard the door open and some familiar faces enter. First to enter was Lili who ran straight for me and engulfed me in a hug. Next was Hestia who didn't look nearly as upset as I thought she would be. Medior, who stayed back towards the door and finally Bell, who had a deep purple bruises across his faces and though he tried to hide it, his right hand wouldn't close.

"Soo," I started awkwardly not entirely sure what to say, "How have you been holding up?"

Hestia walked up to me, handed me a sheet of paper and just walked off without saying a word. Okay yeah, she was still furious. I could have guessed, but the sheet of paper was my update. She probably updated my falna while I was out. Probably because my soul was being destroyed? Looking over the sheet I was surprised to see my status raise by a ridiculous degree, but nothing under my skills or spells changed. Well I can learn tier four spells now, but not some crazy magic absorbing skills. I had expected my magic pulling thing would have done something to my falna, but I guess not.

"So Matthew. You feeling alright? Your um.."

"My soul was eating itself?" I responded as he just kicked his feet awkwardly and Lili held on to me even tighter. "It won't happen again. I won't be caught off guard again."

"What about those terrorists? Now that they're aware of us will we be safe?" Lili asked softly with concern clear in her voice. Well, now that I can learn fourth tier spells I can learn... Blight I guess? That should solidly put me on par with a level two. I can't imagine even stronger adventurers could brush off such devastating magic. Other than that I should have access to Arcane Eye which is a great info spell. Then there's... Oh man, I really don't remember what all I will have access to now. I suppose it was only natural that I would forget.

"We'll be okay Lili, I don't think this was the terrorists. The edgy assassin guy spoke as if he knew me." I told her.

"So you know him?" Bell asked.

"Not really. He seemed familiar though." I told him. Honestly though I didn't really want to keep talking about him. As concerning as the assassins presence is, he wasn't really a big concern. He needed to attack me when I was basically already dead. He probably wasn't that strong. I didn't want to keep talking about how I had nearly died thou so I changed the conversation by asking about that silverback I used Animate Dead on.

"Oh he's fine. Why?" Bell responded casually. It was at that point I decided I was done. What is even happening anymore? Why is this world so weird? Was I just wrong? Did Animate Dead last for multiple days and I just forgot?

"Ah, Okay." I responded tiredly. Well, I'll see if that silverback goes rouge after some time. If not I could literally build an army. Then again what would I use an army for? The terrorists maybe, but level one monsters would probably only get in the way of the Loki familia's level five and six fighters.

"Are you okay Matthew?" Lili asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, just tired." I said. Too much has happened. There are terrorists, an assassin, Hestia is mad at me and Eina will be too, I still have the Soma familia to deal with and I'm ten undead short of the amount I promised Finn.

"If you feel like you'd be up for it we can visit the Hostess tonight. To celebrate your recovery and my Level up?" Bell said with a calming smile. To be honest I didn't really want to, but if Bell leveled up then I had to celebrate with him.

"I think that's a great idea." I said with a smile, "But I'll need to stop by the Twilight Manor to let Finn know what's happened and that I won't be able to fulfill his order."

Medior took this opportunity to come forward with a sly grin plastered on her face. "Actually I've already spoken with Finn. He said that if you're still able to transfer the ten supporters over to him before they go on their expedition this evening then he will still pay us half of the agreed upon amount."

So only 15 million vals instead of thirty. That's still insanely good. Also good that Finn isn't upset about my little fuck up. "Alright, so I'll go transfer those over to him and we can head to the Hostess after."

Bell and Medior left soon after that to go calm Hestia while Lili and I sat on the bed. Lili wanted to stick by me and I couldn't really move right away. Shocking I know, but laying in a bed for three days after nearly being eaten alive wasn't very conductive to one's ability to move.

"Do you think everything is going to be alright?" Lili asked softly. I understood what she meant, with so much happening it was hard not to think of the future like that.

"It will be better than alright. We have a deal with Soma, they wont bother us anymore. I'm only really helping Loki identify the terrorists, so her familia will be the ones fighting them. And that assassin guy? It may seem a bit arrogant of me to say, but I beat a dragon to death with my bare hands, I think I can take him." I said making sure to sound as jokingly cocky as I could saying that last part.

"You didn't beat it with you're bare hands, you used magic." She chuckled softly.

"But it sounds so much cooler if I don't mention that part." I chuckled along with her. It was a nice moment for the two of us. We sat together for a while before I could feel my legs again. As I was finally able to stand up I felt Lili grab my arm.

"I don't want to lose you." She said softly. My mind raced at a thousand miles per hour trying to think of how to respond to that. I had come too close to death far too many times now and no shit that was messing with Lili's mental state. I needed to say something reassuring to her.

"I told you I'd always protect you. I can't do that if I leave you now can I?" I said immediately internally cringing. That was so lame! Wanting to pretend I never actually said that I grabbed her hand, "Let's get going."

Our humble church wasn't that far from Miach's pharmacy. Honestly it shouldn't have taken us long to get home, but with my numb legs and with Lili keeping my pace it took a good while for us to get back. Once we actually got home I was greeted by a still very livid goddess.

"Is this just something I'm going to have to expect from now on? You getting Bell and yourself nearly killed every time you enter the dungeon? Who even attacked you!?" Hestia said in a much calmer tone than I had expected. That was good at least. What wasn't good is that I had no idea how to respond.

"Well um. I... unless Bell wants to go deeper into the dungeon I'll probably spend a few days just studying my spellbook. So there's no risk of anything dangerous happening like that." I said trying to placate my goddess. Spending some time at home away from danger would probably help.

"Really? But you're so close to level two. I'm sure you'll level up with just another trip." He said enthusiastically. He must have seen the confusion in my face as he continued, "In order to level up one of your basic stats needs to reach B rank and you need to preform a feat that impresses the gods."

Ah, so killing that dragon must have impressed the gods and all I need to do now is hit B rank in magic. Bell was right, I could probably level up with another trip or two to the dungeon, but on the other hand I can easily gain magic by just learning new spells. With Hestia so mad at me and the fact that I can learn level four spells it really would just be better to stay home for a few days.

"Sorry Bell, but I think it would be best for me to just stay home for a while." I said to a disappointed looking Bell. "Cheer up Bell. I'm not going to quit being an adventurer, I'm just taking a few days off."

Bell seemed to perk up at that. I didn't stick around much longer after talking to him though. I wanted to grab those ten undead to Finn before his familia took off for their expedition. Telling Bell I would meet him at the hostess after I was done I took off into the city. I didn't take off fast as my legs were still numb, but Lili and I made good pace to Twilight Manor. Once we arrived I was prepared to explain myself to the guard but they just waved me in.

"You must be that Mathers guy huh?" One guard said while opening the gate.

"I heard you killed a dragon. Is that really true?" The other guard said with a wicked smile.

"Yeah, nearly died for it too." I said with a chuckle.

"Hey man, once you're a higher level you should join us on an expedition sometime." He responded.

"We'll see about it." I responded with a smile. Yeah I didn't really want to tell him that was never going to happen. Hestia already doesn't like Loki and it's a good thing she's allowing me to work with her, but an expedition? Hestia would never allow us to go to the deep floors with them. Also as much as I got along with Loki and her familia I don't really think going on a long expedition with them where they would inevitably see a lot of my magic would be a very good idea.

The guard that asked me about joining them on an expedition ended up being the one leading me into the manor. It was a short trip, but man was he starting to get on my nerves. He had asked over and over about my fight with the dragon and how I got past the goliath. I understand that it sounds like a cool story, but I didn't feel like talking about how I got mauled, incinerated and nearly murdered. Thankfully Loki was there to rescue me.

"Matthew you're safe!" The tiny goddess shouted jumping at me for a hug. Normally this wouldn't be an issue, but having only just recovered Loki's jump knocked me on my ass.

"Hi Loki." I grunted.

"Aiz told me about what happened to ya. You alright?" She asked as Lili literally began prying the small goddess off of me.

"I'll live. Is Finn here?" I asked slowly standing back up.

"Yeah, he's running around in circles finishing last minute preparations for the trip." She said as we entered the mansion. I could see what she meant. Dozens of adventurers in full gear were running around with packs and weapons trying to avoid crashing into each other. At the top of a flight of stairs was Finn shouting commands to several people at once. Despite the chaos around him the pallum remained calm and collected. It was pretty cool actually.

"Hey Finn, Matthew is here!" Loki shouted across the room getting the attention of her captain. The short man gave us a bright smile and made his way over to us.

"Matthew, good to see that you're still with us. I heard it was touch and go for a while." Finn said shaking my hand. Yeah, I guess soul cannibalization would classify as touch and go. "And I don't believe I've met you before."

Finn extended his hand to Lili though she didn't do the same. Not wanting it to become too awkward I used Message to speak with Finn.

'Please excuse her, she's a bit touch shy.'

"Finn, this is my girlfriend Lili." I said after cutting our mental link. Finn was shocked I could tell, but he was quickly able to regain his composure.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Lili. I am Finn Deimne." He said. Lili just nodded in response.

"Well I wanted to thank you for understanding my situation." I told him.

"It's nothing. If anything we should have kept an eye on you seeing as you were helping with our investigation." He chuckled.

"Well I'll be taking it easy for at least a little while so you shouldn't need to worry." I laughed back, "Well I assume you want to get on with your preparations so I'll hand these over to you."

"Is there anything I need to do for that?" He asked, but I just shook my head. Mentally I commanded my undead to follow Finn's word as if they were my own and I felt my control shift to him. I was still connected to them and could reclaim them if I so chose, but for now they belonged to Finn.

"Go ahead and give them an order." I said with a smirk. Fin then ordered one of the undead to Take one of the boxes a member of his familia was carrying.

"Thank you. I'll have your payment sent to the church before we leave for the dungeon." He told me.

"Stay safe Finn." I said as I began to walk away.

After my business with Finn was done Lili and I made our way to the Hostess of Fertility where Bell, Hestia and Medior were probably already at. Upon entering the busy establishment we saw adventurers having fun eating and drinking. But of course nothing ever goes right for me. Moments after Lili and I entered the Hostess a high pitched scream could be heard followed by the cluttering of fallen plates. The entire restaurant turned to look at Syr, who was in turn, looking at us.

"Are you alright Syr?" I asked cautiously. The girl looked mortified, like she saw a ghost or something.

"I. I.. I'm fine. Please excuse me." Syr stuttered out before picking up her mess and scampering off.

Turning to Lili I had to ask, "Is there something on my face, I don't have any scars or anything right?"

"No, you're face is perfect. I mean normal." She replied. If my face is fine then why did Syr freak out like that when she saw me? Well, questions for later. Now it's finally time to relax and celebrate Bell's level up.

Mathew M Mathers Lv 1

Strength I 51 - H 112

Defense G 226 - F 321

Dexterity I 49 - I 73

Agility I 43 - I 82

Magic D 564 - C 689

Skills

Arcane Spellcaster VI - Rather than drawing from a pool of mind to cast spells, user expends spell slots. Ritual spells do not expend spell slots. Chants do not expend spell slots, functions as if Arcane Spellcaster is not in use

Available spell slots - I (5) II (4) III (3) IV (2)

Spell slots recovered via long rest or study of spellbook.

Arcane Student VI - Ability to learn new spells up to tier IV through study of spellbook

Arcane Tradition Necromancy I - Necromancy comes naturally. Study of spellbook reveals necromancy spells quicker, ability to cast necromancy spells as if they were one tier lower.

Magic Sense - Ability to detect nearby sources of magic passively

Spells

Firebolt (cantrip), Light (cantrip), Mending (cantrip), Message (cantrip), Minor Illusion (cantrip), Toll the Dead (cantrip), Cause Fear (I), Crumbling Dead (I, ritual), Expeditious Retreat (I), False Life (I), Find Familiar (I, ritual), Ice Knife (I), Identify (I, ritual), Protection from Good and Evil (I), Shield (I), Sleep (I), Tasha's Hideous Laughter (I), Alter Self (II), Arcane Lock (II), Binding Ice (II), Continual Flame (II), Crown of Madness (II), Invisibility (II), Life Transference (II), Sightless/Soundless (II), Wither and Bloom (II), Animate Dead (III), Bestow Curse (III), Counterspell (III), Glyph of Warding (III), Life Transference (III), Remove Curse (III), Spirit Shroud (III)

Command Hatred (V, chant, incomplete) "Old rivalries, bad blood, hated enemy, destined foe. Let rage flow through your veins, an endless sea of fire. You are mine, my wrath yours"

Bell Cranel Lv 1

Strength E 423 - C 623

Defense G 248 - E 401

Dexterity D 576 - A 881

Agility C 657 - S 999

Magic F 362 - D 576

Skills

Ultima Speranza: Greater growth as long as feelings persist

Spells

Booming Blade - "Let lightning strike my foe, true as blade"

Lightningbolt - "From darkened clouds, a flash of light. Blinding bolt a star at night. My heart beats as a drumming thunder. Dancing lights command the sky as rain and tears fall. Light of the gods burn the unworthy. Wrath of the gods lightningbolt.

Hey hey. Sorry for the wait. Tbh I kinda feel like an asshole for saying I'd get chapters done quicker and then taking a month hiatus. I don't know if you'll be able to tell but I only started this chapter a few days ago and was kinda rushing just to get something done (meaning there may be revisions coming in the future. Now this time it shouldn't take a month to get the next update haha.

SirAphonso: No I totally understand where you're coming from with that and that's something I'll keep in mind for the next fic I'm writing. If it's any consolation Medior is has served her purpose and will now mostly be a background character, Tenji is just a name I came up with for someone living in Riveria (I didn't want to look up their names lol) and I was only introducing mystery man, he wont be plot relevant again until much later.

XenoLucifer: I understand what you mean, but I feel like most fics I read with an OC just have them have a knock-off or just a straight up upgrade to Bell's power. While those fics are fun to read, imo it takes away what makes Bell special. Besides, while the lower level magics may not be important, higher level magic more than makes up for a lack of stats. And to be entirely fair the reason Matt can go to floors far deeper than most adventurers of his levels is because he has a lifeline in False Life. Normal adventurer gets gutted by a war shadow? They're crippled if not dead. That same thing happens to Matt its just like "Oh no, I should probably be more careful"