Bell POV
"Called it," Regis said startling the two.
"Are we interrupting something?" I said with a shit-eating grin on my face.
"Oh Um Bell I didn't expect you back so soon," Miach said clearing his throat.
"Yeah we thought you'd be in the dungeon longer," Nazha said her face red.
"Oh he got his ass beat by a Minotaur that's why we're back," Regis said.
"Good god Bell are you ok" Nazha worriedly said as she ran over to me. Forgetting her earlier embarrassment.
"Yeah but I'm still in a lot of pain," I said as she helped me to a chair.
"Regis what happened," Miach asked getting potions out from a cabinet.
"Well, we were on the third floor just testing the dungeon out. Then all of a sudden it got really quiet and Bell got thrown into a wall. I told him to run he refused to and got his ass handed to him and got saved by a woman named Alise" Regis explained.
"Bell why didn't you run," Nazha asked.
"Because it could've hurt someone else if I ran"
"Bell while that was very brave it was also stupid," Miach said handing me a potion.
"But aren't those two sides of the same coin," I said drinking it.
He patted my head before he spoke "sometimes they can be. Look I'm not mad at you not at all but you have to remember that you have people to come back to. People who worry about your safety and well-being"
"Huh oh yeah, I guess I do now. Huh," I realized he was right that I do have people worrying about me again. It felt weird. Since gramps had died Alfia was rarely one to show affection but I know she loved me in her own way. But to be told that both Miach and Nazha were concerned about me. It felt nice.
"Alright I promise I'll be more careful from now on"
"Alright, Bell but just because you're more careful doesn't mean you can't be you. just be a little more cautious from now on" Nazha said. She had been cleaning some wounds that were still on my back before Miach handed me another potion.
"So saved by Astraea's kids, huh Bell" Miach teased.
"Uh don't remind me because now I owe her one," I said putting my head in my hands"
Miach chuckled as Nahza walked back towards him from behind me. "Well your body seems to be fine now but Bell please invest in some armor," Nahza said.
"I was planning on it but I wanted to explore it first. Not my smartest decision I will admit" I said as I nervously scratched the back of my head.
"Well as long as you're alive and you learned your lesson I'm not mad," Miach said. "However don't be so reckless next time Bell" I chuckled and nodded my head in agreement. We then heard the bell above the door chime as the door opened.
"Miach my old friend it's good to see you," a woman said. She had green eyes and long blue hair with two long bangs, two strands on the sides, and a partly braided tail in the back. She wore a white and pale blue outfit, long brown boots with a light brown design, a belt in which she kept a piece of white cloth and a dagger in, gold bracelets, and various gold hair accessories. I looked at the woman and saw another behind her. She had reddish brown eyes and medium-length hair of the same color. She wore a dark and light green outfit, a brown sash, a brown belt, small brown holders strapped to both arms, and long black gloves.
"Ah Artemis it's good to see you as well," Miach said as he hugged the goddess. "And I see you brought your child along as well how are you Rethusa"
"I am doing well lord Miach," she said respectively.
"It's good to see you again goddess Artemis," Nahza said.
"Did they just forget we're here?" I asked Regis.
"Probably it seems like they're in their own little world," Regis said.
"Oh, where are my manners Artemis I'd like for you to meet my new child Bell" Miach gestured to me.
"Sup," I said waving to her.
"Well I see your new child is lacking in tact Miach" the Rethusa growled.
"Oh, I do deeply apologize my lady. This poor mountain boy was not raised in the noble customs as you city folk" I sarcastically said. I heard Regis and Nahza snort behind me.
"Watch it boy you will show me respect"
"Earn it first"
I could see she was getting angry and I could see the hatred in her eyes. "Rethusa that is enough," Artemis said. "Now Bell was it" I shook my head "I do ask that you don't cause any problems with my children"
"As long as they don't start any with me we won't have a problem," I said.
"That's the best I'm gonna get huh," she asked looking at Miach.
"Yup," Miach said standing by my side.
"Well I just dropped by to inform you that for the time being my familia and I will be staying in Orario," Artemis said.
"Oh well if you need any potions or medical supplies at all my shop is open to you," Miach said as Artemis waved goodbye and shut the door.
"So I'm guessing you're not doing deliveries to them either," Miach said looking at me.
"I will if I can I mess with her captain," I asked.
"No"
"Then I guess I won't deliver to them then"
"Wow, Bell not even in the city for a week and you meet two man-hating goddesses lucky you," Regis said walking to the couch. I rolled my eyes at what he said before Miach spoke again.
"Bell I don't want you going into the dungeon without armor again so you're not allowed in the dungeon till then" Miach ordered. I threw my hands up in mock surrender and agreed.
"And you'll get your potions from us of course," Nazha said.
"So I get them for free" I joked.
"Nope, a 20% discount" Nazha joked back.
"Make it 30 and I won't make jokes about you and Miach" I replied.
She blushed in embarrassment before responding "dirty move Bell dirty move"
"Wait since you two are together is that why I hear creaking upstairs at night," Regis said and I had to stifle a laugh. I knew he was lying but damn were their faces funny.
"You should see your faces," I said trying not to laugh.
"W-we haven't done anything of the sort" Miach explained clearing his throat.
"Yes, nothing of the sort" Nazha rambled off.
"I know I would've smelled and heard it. I'm just fucking with ya" Regis said as he laid down curling himself in a ball.
"What you tired puppy dog"
"I will bite your ass Bell"
So the afternoon and evening went by quickly. I helped around the shop a bit. Restocking shelves and sweeping the outside. Just a few chores to help around. Dinner came and went and I was getting ready for bed.
"Hey Regis"
"Yeah kid"
"Thanks I'd probably be dead if it weren't for you"
"Eh no big deal you probably would've held out long enough for Astraea's brats to save ya"
"Who knows? But thanks"
I then closed my eyes and fell asleep.
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I used my lighting against Alfia shooting a lighting bolt directly at her. It almost hit her but it seemed to dispel right before it did. She swung a wooden club at me. I quickly activated static void and moved out of the way. Before deactivating it and getting hit in the head anyway. I fell back on the ground my head hurting and my vision swimming.
"Well that was one of your better times but you still haven't hit me yet"
"How did you know where I'd end up," I asked as I sat up holding my head in my hand.
"You're predictable. Now get up we're not done for today" she said. I stood back up my legs shaking but I knew she didn't care. The monsters wouldn't so why should I she say. I readied my knife and charged again.
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I awoke from the couch and saw Miachs familiar ceiling again. I sat up and saw that the sun had already risen and Miach and Nazha were eating breakfast.
"I'm guessing you let me sleep 'cause I got my ass kicked yesterday," I asked.
"That's one way of putting it yes" Miach nodded.
We then ate breakfast and Regis and I said our goodbyes before heading to Babel. "Oh shit we didn't turn our stones in yesterday," Regis said.
"Well pass the guild on the way there so we'll just do it then" we kept walking and came upon the guild. We walked inside and I didn't see Eina so it must've been her day off. I walked up to the teller and turned in my monster stones and got 10k valis in return. We then left the guild and started heading back toward Babel.
"So how's it feel to earn your first bit of money," Regis asked.
"It feels nice. I mean so does Alfia's money but using it just feels like cheating since I'm technically one of the richest men in Oraio now"
"Well just do what Miach said and use it when you need to"
"That's the plan but I will admit it's a nice safety cushion to fall back on"
"Yeah but now you just have to worry about Eina and that werewolf keeping their mouths shut"
"No not really. I asked Miach about that yesterday and they're bound by law to not say anything so we're good there. Although Eina's scared of me now so that's a hassle"
"She'll come around once she realizes how caring and heroic you can be" Regis teased.
"I'm really tempted to kick you right now"
We continued our walk and I passed by a bar and restaurant called the hostess of fertility. It was closed but I saw Ryu working outside sweeping the stairs. Dressed as a maid.
"I see you're doing well," she said.
"Ryu right" she nodded her head. "What are you doing working here," I asked.
"I did some things I'm not proud of and these people took me in so I have a debt to them"
"Oh well, that's nice of them. Well bye, Ryu" I said walking away.
"Wait," she said. I turned around and faced her. "We never got your name yesterday"
"Oh it's Bell just Bell," I said and then continued on to Babel.
"Hey look at that you were actually charming for once," Regis said. I said nothing and kicked him in the ass causing him to yelp. We continued our walk and finally reached Babel tower.
"You know maybe we should've asked Miach where the armor is," I said.
"Yeah that would've helped should we ask someone," Regis asked.
I agreed with his request and saw a woman with bluish-purple eyes and long black hair tied into a ponytail. She wore a purple kimono along with a dark red sash and thigh-length boots. She looked to be from the Far East based on her attire.
"Excuse me miss I'm new in town and I don't know where to buy affordable armor would you be able to help me," I asked.
"Yes, I can. So on floors, four through eight are where you'll find Hephaestus familia shops. Four is the cheapest with eight being the most expensive" she explained.
"Thank you," I said as Regis and I walked towards the elevator. Regis opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off. "You say one word about me being Prince Charming I'll throw you off the roof"
"I was going to say she wrapped her boobs 'cause she's from the Far East. Now I want you to think how massive they'd be if they weren't wrapped" Regis said.
I felt my face flush red in embarrassment. "I hate you so much"
"Ha made you think about it didn't I"
"Stop talking" we entered the elevator and I hit the button for the fourth floor. "That was pretty cool," I said exiting the elevator. Who knew that machine could go up so many floors without a problem?
"You really are from the sticks" Regis joked. I smiled at that. We explored the fourth floor of Babel. Regis and I entered all of the shops except one and were exploring it now. When we entered a redheaded man was arguing with the shopkeep about his armor not having shelf space. We ignored them and explored the shop. Nothing caught my eye so we went into the back of the shop in an area that you couldn't really see. I looked through a few boxes before I found a box with a silver chest plate. I picked it up and just by taking a look at it I could tell this is the one I wanted.
"You picked that 'cause it goes well with your hair didn't you," Regis said behind me. I told him to shut up. I put the chest plate back into the box before picking the box up and walking to the counter. The two were still arguing before the shopkeep turned his attention to me. "What can I help you with young man"
"I'd like to buy this armor," I said putting the box on the counter. He took a look inside it as well as the red-haired man before the latter started laughing and the shopkeeper just sighed. The red-headed man then turned to me and stuck out his hand.
"Welf Crozo the smith who made that armor," he said. I took his hand a shook it. "Bell the customer who bought your armor"
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"So how does it feel," Welf asked as I was now wearing the armor.
"Feels good fits pretty well," I said moving around in it a bit.
"Yeah now he'll be pulling all the girls," Regis said causing both him and Welf to laugh.
"Hey Welf I have a question to ask you"
"Go ahead shoot"
"I was told by my aunt that smiths form contracts with adventurers and all that stuff"
"Yup contracted smiths only make stuff for that person in exchange for whatever the terms are be it payment or materials" Welf explained.
"Oh is that case wanna form a contract," I asked and saw a look of surprise on his face. "You sure," he asked in disbelief. "Yeah your armor feels great and I can tell it's pretty durable," I said knocking my hand on the armor. "Uh yeah sure but I have one condition," he said. "Name it"
"Please let me join your party," he asked.
"Sure but I'm letting you know now that the dungeon doesn't play nice with me we'll face multiple irregulars and many more monsters than normal," I told him.
"Fine by me that just means the excila will be better" Welf and I then shook hands closing the deal.
"Well I'll see you tomorrow at 10 in front of Babel," I said.
"Works for me" Regis and I then left Welf's shop and headed home. "He seems like a nice guy," I said to Regis. "Seems lonely though" Regis replied. "Then I guess we'll have to fix that by being his friend"
We kept walking passing by the hostess of fertility again. As we were walking I saw out of the corner of my eye brown and brown cat ears run by. Spinning quickly on my heel I turned around to get a better look but it was gone.
"Something wrong," Regis asked.
"No it's nothing just a trick of the eyes," I said and continued walking home. It was foolish of me to think that was Anya. There were so many cat people here in Orario and brown is a common hair color. I then felt sad knowing that it would probably be a while before I saw either Anya or Allen again.
And what a sad way to leave off. Anyway hoped you enjoyed and before I go I wanna ask if you feel like the story is moving too slow. Cause I wanna flash out the characters some before all the sad shit happens but I also don't want it to feel like it's dragging so let me know in the comments. Anyway later.