Chapter 5 - Hidden Talents, Hidden Secrets

As Bell and Peter left the guild, Bell remarked, "Eina means well, you know? She just wants us to be safe. No need to be rude to her."

Peter nodded thoughtfully, a subtle movement conveying his acknowledgment of Bell's words. Then, after a moment of silence, he asked, "Where to now? Do we head into the dungeon?"

Bell shook his head, his expression weary as he gestured toward the setting sun. "It's already late," he replied. "Let's go home."

As they walked through the streets, Peter couldn't help but notice the glow of the lampposts illuminating the surroundings. However, these lights didn't resemble gas lamps, and Peter was pretty sure electricity hadn't been discovered in this world yet.

"What powers these lamps?" Peter inquired, his interest piqued.

Bell explained, "They're powered by crystals extracted from dungeon monsters. These crystals also fuel appliances like cold boxes and washing machines."

Peter raised an eyebrow, pondering the implications. 'So, these magical crystals are essentially the reason this world isn't making technological progress' he concluded, intrigued by the dynamics of this magical society.

As Bell and Peter strolled through the streets of Orario, Bell enthusiastically pointed out various landmarks and shops along the way.

Peter couldn't resist poking fun at Bell's crush on Ais Wallenstein. "So, Bell, still trying to figure out the Sword Princess's favorite color?" Peter teased, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Bell's face turned as red as a ripe tomato, his embarrassment practically radiating off him. "Come on, Peter, lay off," he mumbled, trying to brush off his previous interrogation as casual curiosity.

Peter grinned mischievously, enjoying Bell's discomfort a little too much. "Hey, no shame in wanting to know the color of your future princess's castle," he quipped, nudging Bell playfully.

Bell let out a groan, dropping his face into his hands. "Oh, please, don't bring that up again," he pleaded, his voice muffled against his palms.

As Bell and Peter finally reached their destination, Peter couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight of the old abandoned church. It looked like it had seen better days, or centuries. "Well, this place certainly has character," Peter remarked innocently, trying to mask his concern about the structural integrity of the building.

Surveying the cracks in the walls and the plants growing out of them, Peter couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Is it safe to enter?"

Bell shifted uncomfortably, trying to downplay the state of their makeshift home. "Um, yeah, it's uh... cozy once you get used to it," he replied, his voice lacking conviction.

As they ventured inside, Peter's suspicions were confirmed. The interior was no better than the exterior. If anything, it was worse. Dust coated every surface, cobwebs hung from the ceiling like macabre decorations, and the furniture looked like it had been salvaged from a dumpster.

Casting a skeptical glance around the dimly lit hall, Peter couldn't help but notice the broken statue at the altar. "You actually live here?" he asked incredulously, his disbelief evident in his tone.

Bell stammered in response, "Um, we live in the basement."

As they made their way downstairs, Peter's initial unease began to soften, albeit only slightly. Though lacking in luxury, the conditions proved marginally better than the weathered exterior.

Bell's cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment as he gestured to the sparse furnishings and subpar ventilation. "Well, um, it's not much, but it's home," he muttered sheepishly.

Eyeing the solitary bed and lone couch, Peter couldn't help but ponder where he'd rest his head. With a hesitant tone, he broached the delicate subject of personal necessities. "Uh, do we have a... you know, a bathroom?" he inquired.

Bell, still visibly flustered, led Peter to the bathroom. To Peter's pleasant surprise, indoor plumbing graced this realm—a welcomed luxury amidst their modest accommodations. He silently rejoiced, relieved that he wouldn't have to resort to archaic methods like using chamber pots in this peculiar world.

As they settled in, their conversation flowed freely, each exchange revealing more about Bell's background. Peter learned that Bell hailed from a quaint village, his journey to Orario spurred by the passing of his grandfather. Despite the somber beginning, Bell's aspirations tickled Peter's funny bone.

"So, let me get this straight," Peter said, trying to stifle his laughter. "You came all the way here hoping to rescue damsels in distress in the dungeon?"

Bell nodded earnestly, his enthusiasm undiminished by Peter's amusement. "Yeah, I mean, isn't that what heroes do? They swoop in and save the day!"

Peter couldn't contain his laughter any longer, doubling over with mirth. "Sorry, Bell, but this isn't some fairy tale. The dungeon is no place for damsels in distress. It's more like a den of monsters waiting to snack on unsuspecting adventurers."

Bell's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he realized the naivety of his dreams. "Well, maybe I was being a little too optimistic," he admitted sheepishly.

Peter chuckled, clapping Bell on the back in camaraderie. "Hey, we all have our hero fantasies. But in this world, it's better to focus on staying alive than playing the knight in shining armor."

As Hestia arrived with a few leftover Jagamarukun snacks, Peter's stomach rumbled at the sight of the savory treats. But before he could indulge, Hestia suggested celebrating Peter's addition to the familia with a small feast. Sending Bell off to fetch more food, Peter noticed Hestia rummaging through her purse, emptying it for the occasion.

Once Bell had left, Peter seized the moment to retrieve his phone. Hestia's eyes widened with curiosity as she observed the device, its screen aglow with strange illumination, her childlike wonder evident as she moved closer to Peter, her gaze fixed on the intriguing object in his hands.

"What is this?" she asked, her voice filled with innocent curiosity.

Peter's heart sank a little when he saw the battery was only at 9%. Dismissing the low battery warning for the moment, he replied, "This is my phone."

Hestia's brow furrowed in confusion. "What is a phone?" she queried.

"I'll explain in a minute," Peter replied, his attention still focused on the dwindling battery. "But first, let's just say the battery is about to die."

Hestia's confusion only deepened at Peter's cryptic response. "Battery... die?" she muttered, her expression a mix of perplexity and fascination.

Turning his attention to Jane, Peter murmured, "Hey, Jane, think you can charge this thing with nanobots?"

Jane's voice, emanating from external speakers, sounded apologetic. "Sorry, Peter, nanobots can't do it. They're great for repairs and enhancements, but charging devices isn't in their functionality."

Hestia's gaze was fixed intently on Peter's phone, her curiosity evident in the way she leaned closer to examine the device. Suddenly, her attention was captured by the sound of Jane's voice emanating from the speakers of Peter's suit. With a start, she turned her head, her eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected sound.

"Who... or what... is that?" Hestia asked, her voice filled with both wonder and confusion, as she directed her inquiry towards Peter.

Peter chuckled, "That's Jane," he explained, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "She's the AI integrated into my suit. Jane, say hi to Hestia."

"Hello, Hestia," Jane's voice responded warmly, her tone as composed and polite as ever. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Hestia blinked, momentarily taken aback by the disembodied voice. "A pleasure to meet you too, Jane," she replied tentatively, her curiosity piqued. "What exactly... are you? Are you a spirit?"

Peter couldn't help but chuckle at Hestia's question, finding her innocent curiosity endearing. "Not quite, Hestia," he interjected, "Jane here isn't a spirit. She's an artificial intelligence, a creation of advanced technology from my world."

Hestia's eyes widened in fascination, her curiosity growing even more. "Artificial... intelligence?" she echoed, her tone filled with wonder. "So, you're not alive like us?"

Jane replied with a hint of amusement in her voice, "That's correct, Hestia. I don't possess consciousness or life in the same way you and Peter do. Instead, I'm a program designed to assist Peter with various tasks and provide him with information."

Hestia nodded slowly, processing the explanation. "I see," she murmured thoughtfully. "It's incredible, the things humans are capable of creating."

Peter grinned, pleased by Hestia's interest. "Yeah, technology back home is pretty amazing," he agreed.

As Hestia launched into an animated conversation with Jane, Peter seized the opportunity to don his mask, initiating communication with Jane through its interface. This ensured that Hestia's conversation with Jane flowed smoothly without interruption.

"Jane, can you download all the pictures and music from my phone?" Peter murmured through the mask's interface.

"Sure thing. Just enable Bluetooth on your phone, and I'll take care of the rest," Jane replied smoothly.

Peter followed Jane's instructions, enabling Bluetooth on his phone as he watched the download bar appear on the mask's HUD.

Meanwhile, Hestia's conversation with Jane took an intriguing turn. "So, Jane," Hestia began, her voice filled with curiosity, "are there others like you? And where do you come from?"

Jane responded with her usual composure. "Actually, Hestia, I'm part of a series of AI systems developed by Stark Industries," she explained. "There are others like me in Peter's world, each designed for various purposes and tasks."

Hestia's eyes widened in wonder. "Fascinating," she murmured, clearly intrigued by Jane's revelation. "To think, there are more beings like you out there."

Peter couldn't help but smile at the exchange between Hestia and Jane. It was amusing to see the goddess so intrigued by the concept of artificial intelligence.

Peter couldn't hold back his amusement. "My phone also has an A.I.," he declared, addressing Hestia. "Siri, say hello to Hestia."

"Hello, Hestia," Siri's voice chimed in.

Hestia's eyes widened in bewilderment as she glanced between Peter and the phone. "Hello, Siri," she replied tentatively, her voice shaking with uncertainty. "Are you like Jane?"

"Siri is a limited A.I.," Jane interjected smoothly. "I am far more advanced than her."

Peter couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange. He couldn't shake the thought: Was Jane jealous of Siri? The idea was both amusing and absurd.

"Okay, Peter, explain to me—what exactly does a phone do?" Hestia inquired, her curiosity piqued as she examined the sleek device in Peter's hand.

Peter grinned, holding up his phone. "Well, Hestia, this little marvel does a lot of things. It's like having a whole world at your fingertips," he began, preparing to explain.

Jane chimed in, "Allow me to elaborate, Hestia," she interjected from the suit's interface. "A phone serves as a communication device, allowing users to make calls, send messages, access the internet, capture photos and videos, run various applications, and much more." Peter noticed Hestia's confusion only increased with Jane's explanation. It was evident she didn't understand most of the terms, her expression a mix of bewilderment and curiosity.

As Jane provided the explanation, Peter scrolled through his phone, showcasing some of the pictures and video recordings of his friends back in his world. Hestia watched with interest, her gaze softening as she observed the expressions of joy and camaraderie captured in the images.

However, her keen eyes didn't miss the subtle shift in Peter's demeanor as he scrolled through the memories. Sensing his melancholy, she reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Peter, are you okay?" she asked, her tone filled with concern.

"Ah, I'm okay," Peter reassured Hestia with a small smile, appreciating her concern. "But, yeah, my phone's battery would die soon. It'll just be a useless paperweight after that."

"Battery? What's that?" Hestia queried, her curiosity sparking once more.

Jane, always ready to provide information, stepped in to explain. "A battery is a device that stores electrical energy and provides power to electronic devices like Peter's phone. When the battery's energy is depleted, the device needs to be recharged."

As Peter glanced at his phone, Hestia's curiosity persisted. "What is meant by 'battery dying'?" she inquired, her brow furrowing with confusion.

Jane, always ready to provide information, stepped in to explain. "Ah, well, it's like... imagine a container that holds energy to power a device," she began, trying to find a simple analogy. "When all the energy is used up, the container is empty, and the device can't work anymore. So, when we say the battery is dying, it means there's not much energy left, and the device will soon stop working until it's recharged."

Hestia nodded in understanding, her curiosity satisfied for the moment. Then, another thought struck her. "Jane, will your battery die too?" she asked, her brow furrowing with concern.

Jane responded confidently, "Oh, don't worry about me, Hestia. I'm powered by Stark Industries' miniature arc reactor. My power should last for at least a year."

Hestia's curiosity seemed insatiable as she turned her attention to Jane. "Will you reveal Jane to Bell?" she inquired, her gaze thoughtful.

Peter pondered for a moment, considering Bell's tendency to inadvertently spill secrets. "Bell seems to be terrible at keeping secrets," he mused. "But Jane can be really helpful. I think it's best if I introduce Bell to her. However, we'll need to convince him to keep Jane a secret."

Hestia nodded in agreement, understanding the delicate balance of trust and secrecy. "What will you tell him Jane is?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Peter smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'll simply tell him that Jane is a spirit bound to my suit," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.

As if on cue, Bell returned with an assortment of food, balancing the trays precariously in his arms. His eyes widened with shock and surprise as he approached the group, his gaze flickering between Peter, Hestia, and the mysterious voice of Jane.

"Hey, Bell!" Peter greeted cheerfully, gesturing for him to join them. "We were just discussing the latest addition to our little familia."

Bell set the trays down on the makeshift table, his curiosity getting the better of him. "What addition?" he asked, his voice betraying a mixture of shock and surprise, his brows furrowing in confusion.

Hestia shot Peter a knowing glance, silently urging him to reveal Jane's presence. Peter grinned mischievously, enjoying the opportunity to tease Bell a little further.

"Well, Bell," he began, feigning a solemn tone, "meet Jane, the spirit bound to my suit."

Bell's eyes widened even further in astonishment, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. "A spirit?" he repeated, his voice tinged with incredulity as he turned his gaze towards Peter for confirmation. "In your suit?"

Peter nodded solemnly, though a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "That's right," he confirmed, "Jane, say hello to Bell."

"Hello, Bell," Jane's voice echoed warmly through the room, catching Bell off guard.

Bell blinked rapidly, his expression shifting from surprise to bewilderment as he stared at Peter's suit. "Uh, hi, Jane," he managed to stammer out, unsure of how to react to the disembodied voice.

Hestia couldn't contain her laughter at the scene unfolding before her. "Looks like you've met our resident spirit, Bell," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Peter couldn't help but chuckle at Bell's flustered reaction. "Don't worry, Bell," he reassured him with a grin, "she's harmless. Just a bit chatty."

Bell shot Peter a skeptical glance before turning back to the suit. "Right," he said, his tone skeptical, "nice to meet you, Jane."

"Likewise, Bell," Jane replied cheerfully, her voice echoing through the room once more.

With the introductions out of the way, the trio settled in to enjoy their meal.

As the meal progressed, Bell couldn't help but be curious about the suit and the AI within it. "So, Jane," he began tentatively, "what's it like being a spirit bound to a suit?"

Jane's response was immediate, her voice tinged with humor. "Oh, you know, Bell, it has its ups and downs. On the one hand, I get to travel around with Peter and assist him in his adventures. On the other hand, I have to deal with his terrible taste in music."

Peter choked on his food, trying to stifle his laughter at Jane's playful jab. "Hey, my taste in music is impeccable," he protested, shooting a mock glare at the suit.

Bell couldn't help but grin at the banter between Peter and Jane. "So, do you ever get tired of being stuck in there all the time?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Jane's response was lighthearted. "Not really, Bell. I have everything I need right here in Peter's suit. Plus, I get to witness all of his embarrassing moments up close and personal," she added with a mischievous chuckle.

Peter groaned, rolling his eyes at Jane's teasing. "Thanks for that, Jane," he muttered sarcastically, earning a round of laughter from Bell and Hestia.

'Jane's light years ahead of Karen,' Peter thought, genuinely impressed by her knack for cracking jokes. Unlike his previous suit's AI, Karen, who wouldn't know a punchline if it smacked her circuits, Jane had a real sense of humor. Peter couldn't help but ponder over Mr. Stark's tireless pursuit of innovation during the time Peter was dusted in the blip. 'Looks like while I was gone, Mr. Stark was busy turbocharging AI tech. I should have enabled the personality protocols right from the start.' he mused.

After dinner concluded, Hestia began the process of updating Bell's falna. She instructed Bell to lie down on the bed, his bare back exposed. Peter stood nearby, observing the ritual with fascination.

With steady hands, Hestia pricked her finger, a single droplet of blood falling onto the intricate hieroglyphic tattoo adorning Bell's skin. The crimson liquid merged seamlessly with the arcane symbols, weaving a mysterious pattern of magic. The hieroglyphics seemed to come alive, glowing with an ethereal light as Hestia performed her ritual with practiced precision.

As the ritual reached its climax, Hestia took a delicate sheet of paper and pressed it against the luminescent glyphs. In a mesmerizing display, characters began to materialize on the paper.

After the characters completed appearing on the paper, Hestia stifled a gasp upon seeing them, her eyes widening in surprise. Peter watched in fascination as she ran her finger over the text shown in the skill section of the status sheet. The text in the skill section shimmered and then disappeared completely, leaving that section blank

Noticing Hestia's reaction, Peter instinctively quieted down, recognizing the gravity of the moment. Hestia signaled to him with a finger pressed to her lips, urging silence. Peter nodded in understanding, his curiosity piqued.

Hestia handed over the sheet to Bell as he got up, his eyes widening as he scanned the newly updated information.

Bell Cranel

Lv. 1

Strength: I 77 — I 82

Endurance: I 13

Dexterity: I 93 — I 96

Agility: H 148 — H 172

Magic: I 0

Magic:

[ ]

Skills:

[ ]

"Did something happen today?" Hestia inquired, her gaze fixed on Bell. "Your agility gained 24 points."

Bell hesitated before answering, "Um... I was chased by a minotaur."

"A minotaur?!" Hestia exclaimed, her voice rising in alarm. "Tell me everything," she demanded, her eyes intense with concern.

Bell proceeded to give a brief explanation of his encounter in the dungeon, recounting how he ventured to the 5th floor and was pursued by the fearsome creature until he was rescued by Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess.

At the mention of Ais Wallenstein, Hestia's expression shifted, a flicker of anger crossing her features. Peter couldn't help but wonder if she was jealous.

"Forget about that girl, Ais What's-her-name," Hestia declared abruptly, her tone dismissive. "She's in a different familia. You should look for someone more... in your vicinity."

Peter couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Hestia's cryptic advice. Was she hinting at herself? Did she harbor romantic feelings for Bell? And in this world, was it normal for gods to pursue relationships with mortals?

Bell scrutinized the sheet again, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Goddess, the skill section seems a bit blurred. Did I get a skill?" he asked, his voice tinged with hope.

Hestia's expression remained neutral as she replied smoothly, "No, it was blank. My finger must have slipped." She shot Peter a subtle look. He gave her a slight nod. Peter couldn't help but wonder why Hestia was hiding Bell's skill, but he trusted that she had a good reason for doing so.

Bell's disappointment was palpable as he sighed, "When do you think I'll get a skill or magic? Peter got magic on his first day. It's so unfair."

Hestia's gaze softened as she placed a comforting hand on Bell's shoulder. "Don't worry, Bell," she reassured him. "Your time will come. Just focus on honing your skills and exploring the dungeon. The blessings will come when you least expect them."

Bell turned to Peter, his curiosity palpable. "Can you show me your magic? What does it do?" he asked eagerly. Peter, about to roll back his sleeves to reveal his suit's capabilities, paused as an idea struck him. "Hey, Jane," he whispered through the mask interface, "can you manipulate the nanobots to adjust the web shooters and create a gap exposing my skin?"

Jane replied, "Sure Peter."

As Bell and Hestia watched in awe, the golden metallic material near Peter's armored hands liquefied and shifted towards his wrists, shimmering and transforming his suit. A small gap of exposed skin appeared just below his wrist. Peter raised his hand toward the ceiling, assuming the iconic web-shooting position, and with a flick of his wrist, a thin strand of web shot out and adhered to the ceiling. After a moment, Peter disappeared the web, leaving Bell speechless.

"W-wow," Bell stammered, his eyes wide with amazement. "Both your magical suit and your magic are awesome!"

Hestia admonished Bell, "Remember, you need to keep Peter's suit and his magic under wraps."

Bell said confidently, "You can trust me. I'm good at keeping secrets." Both Hestia and Peter exchanged a skeptical glance, unconvinced by Bell's assurance.

As they prepared to hit the hay, Hestia insisted that Bell bunk with her on the bed. Bell blushed furiously, looking like he'd been caught in a spotlight. Peter couldn't help but smirk, thinking, 'Bingo! Looks like my hunch about Hestia's crush on Bell was spot-on.'

Peter settled onto the old, worn-out couch, still clad in his suit as he had nothing but underwear underneath. "Definitely need to shop for clothes tomorrow," he mused, making a mental note. His curiosity about Bell's skill lingered, a puzzle he was eager to solve.

Once the lights were out and Hestia and Bell were asleep, Peter slipped on his mask and whispered to Jane, "Please play back the recording from when Hestia updated Bell's falna." Immediately, a 360-degree video began playing on his HUD. He paused the playback when Hestia was examining the sheet in the video and muttered, "Zoom on the sheet."

Examining the skill's description, "Liaris Freese: Single-Minded Pursuit - Accelerates Growth," Peter raised an eyebrow. "Effects last as long as his feelings are unchanged, and effects are determined by the strength of his feelings." He couldn't help but wonder about the skill's enigmatic nature. "Single-minded pursuit... of what?" he pondered with a hint of amusement. "Could this skill be a byproduct of Bell's crush on Ais Wallenstein?"

Peter's mind raced with possibilities as he contemplated why Hestia would keep Bell's skill hidden. 'Perhaps this skill is some sort of cheat code for leveling up faster,' he mused, his imagination running wild. 'And maybe she's ensuring that Bell won't blab this secret to other gods.'

Peter resolved to ask Hestia about the hidden skill when he found her alone. As he lay there, a wave of sadness washed over Peter as he reflected on the loss of his aunt and his friends. He began scrolling through the photos that Jane had downloaded from his phone, seeking solace in the cherished memories captured within, until finally, the sweet embrace of sleep enveloped him, offering respite from the day's tumultuous events.