Is it Wrong to Live Transmigrated as Bell Cranel in a Dungeon?
Chapter 3: The Beginning
"Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks."
-Herodotus
The next day, after helping set up for the morning at the Hostess, I went over to the Guild building to inform Eina of my change in Familia. As far as interacting with other members of the staff of the Hostess went… I was still too mortified to say much at all to them, so I mostly just got giggled at for being a 'good looking girl'.
I'm worried that if this continues for too long it will awaken something in me.
I shook my head before entering the guild building. I was pretty quick to spot a certain brown-haired half-elf. "Eina-san!" I politely called out with a wave as I started making my way over to her.
"Ah, Bell-kun, good morning," Eina greeted me with a small smile.
"Good morning!" I said back enthusiastically.
"Someone's excited this morning," Eina noticed, "some good news, I take it?"
"Yes!" I confirmed, "I am now a member of the Hestia Familia!"
"Hestia Familia?" Eina said in minor confusion, "A new Familia then?"
"Ah, that's correct," I confirmed, a little embarrassed. It was similar to declaring 'I have no money'. Not that I had dreams of wealth for its own sake, but it's still damaging to the ego.
"Well, good for you, Bell-kun. Congratulations," Eina said, more composed than excited. I guess she was trying to keep things professional and not form an attachment to someone that might die on her. I can understand that reasoning, but I refuse to accept it. But that's something for another time.
"Thank you," I say politely, "Do you mind if our lesson for the day reviews over what I can expect on the 1st Floor?"
"Certainly!" Eina perked up, apparently very glad that someone was taking her lessons seriously. The other nearby guild workers looked at me with pity.
She led me over into her personal office and was quick to start reviewing what it's like on the first floor. "You'll mainly be encountering Goblins and Kobolds. Kobolds are creatures with dog-like heads and often are found in groups of two. While they can form larger packs, they usually don't get the chance due to the usual volume of adventurers."
"So it's really important to not get tunnel vision when fighting them," I observed.
"Exactly, it is an important skill that will carry you far through the dungeon," Eina confirmed. "You are familiar enough with Goblins, however, those in the dungeon are much stronger than those found on the surface. They tend to spawn one at a time, but they spawn so frequently that they can quickly start to form larger packs. Many adventurers underestimate seeing a lone Goblin only to quickly find themselves overwhelmed. Though, this is admittedly more of a worry as you get to lower floors."
"Again, because the amount of adventurers on Floor 1 is usually enough to keep the population from getting out of hand?" I made an assumption.
"Precisely," Eina confirmed, "It's unlikely to come across a large pack on Floor 1, but it's best to know it's a possibility. Another monster called a Jack Bird can also spawn on the first floor, but its spawn rate is said to be once a year; as such, its guaranteed drop item is currently valued at 1,000,000 valis."
"What's it look like again?" I asked, looking through my notes I made at a previous study session.
"It should look like a rooster with fluffy yellow-green feathers," Eina said informatively, "It's not aggressive, but extremely fast. Really, if you do somehow see it, just ignore it. By following it blindly, you risk running into a group of monsters unprepared."
"So basically, don't chase it too far. If you can't sneak up on it unawares, you're not going to be able to catch it with your current stats," I summarized.
"That's not what I–! Oh~ Fine, that sounds reasonable enough," Eina said in exasperation, "Not like it will happen anyway."
Poor Eina, she doesn't know how much good and bad luck Bell has yet.
Eina continued, "You shouldn't encounter them unless you somehow stumble onto Floor 2, but that's also when Dungeon Lizards start to spawn. A brown quadrupedal lizard monster with sucker discs on its feet. It prefers to attack by climbing walls and jumping down at people, preferably from ambush."
"So not even the ceiling is safe," I summarized.
"Well said," Eina agreed, "Again, you shouldn't be on Floor 2 for a bit, so you won't need to worry about them… You aren't going to go down to the 2nd Floor without my permission, will you?"
"Maybe tomorrow?" I said cheekily.
"Bell Cranel-san!" Eina immediately lashed out, "I will not allow you to go down to Floor 2 until you have 50 points in at least three of your Basic Abilities!"
"Isn't that a lot?" I asked, "Relatively speaking?"
"Yes!" Eina said definitively, looking ready to argue so that I agreed to her ultimatum.
"Okay," I agreed.
"Seriously, I won't take no for an ans— eh?" Eina immediately started trying to berate me for disagreeing with her before realizing I hadn't followed the script she was anticipating, "...You will?"
"Yes!" I exclaim, before adding, "Then I'll just need to get over 150 points in the next couple of days! Tomorrow, if I'm lucky!"
"Bell-kun, that's not how… oh, nevermind," Eina, it seems, gave up on this line of reasoning. "Just promise you won't go to the next floor without my permission?"
"I promise, Eina-san," I said formally.
"I'll just have to live with that," Eina said with a sigh, "And remember, 'Adventurers shou–"
"Shouldn't go on adventures," I finished her saying for her.
She blushed, "Do I really say it that often?"
"Twelve times in the last seven days," I claimed.
"You've been counting?!" Eina seemed mortified.
"No," I claimed with a cheeky smirk, "But you didn't immediately denounce the size of my count~"
Hnng! Eina's pouting face was truly something to behold in the flesh. Still, I should make my escape just in case.
"Thanks for all the help!" I said as I quickly got out of my chair and all but ran to the door, "I'll see you later!"
Before Eina could get another word in, I was already bolting.
It was time. Finally time to test myself against the Dungeon and start getting stronger. In order to face the impending disaster that is the future.
On that dramatic note, let's kill some goblins.
Is Bell secretly a genius?
I couldn't help but wonder about this thought as I made my way through the Dungeon.
To put it simply, the rate at which I was learning things seemed unusually fast. So much so that I couldn't help but notice it.
Truth be told, my first encounter with a Goblin was kinda embarrassing. I totally underestimated its strength, unconsciously comparing it to its surface-dwelling counterparts; even though Eina specifically warned me otherwise.
He got a good cut on my arm before I managed to cleanly stab it in the head, which I wrapped up the wound afterwards. No need to waste my one and only healing potion from the guild on a single cut, no matter how annoying it hurts. It was a good reminder to not be an idiot.
But as I kept on running into more and more of them, I couldn't help but notice they all like to attack in certain ways. Not the same way everytime, mind you, they weren't like dumb NPCs in a video game with only one attack pattern. But it was enough of a pattern that I could start to anticipate their moves and avoid them accordingly.
I sometimes guessed wrong, and got cut up a bit from the claws of Goblins and Kobolds alike. But as time went on, this happened less and le–
The walls started making noise right as I finished off the second Kobold in front of me.
I turned to see two kobolds and four goblins spawn out of the walls behind me.
Was this the dungeons way of getting mad at me for thinking about something else other than my immediate survival?
Hopefully not.
I turned to face the pack of monsters and slowly backed up. While there was a tunnel behind me that I could try to funnel them through to defeat them in detail, the Dungeon might decide to randomly throw a monster party in the room on the other side just to spite me. I could only try to face them here, or try and make a break for it. I was pretty light on my feet, but I had a feeling the Dungeon would just want to kill me even more if I ran.
Or maybe my desire to get stronger just couldn't let me run away from Excelia, no matter the unfavorable odds.
I clenched my two cheap daggers. I had to get stronger. To stand alongside them! To protect Hestia-sama!
I blocked the claws of the first kobold and kicked him into the second one. Parried the claws of a goblin with one blade as my other dagger snapped out like a snake's bite to stab another goblin right between the eyes.
Dodge to the side. Leap forward past the recovered kobold trying to get me from the side, and slash the third goblin's throat. Spin, kick it with the back of my heel into Kobold 2 again.
A goblin, the fourth based on the familiar pain of the monster's claws, slashes at my unprotected back, I instinctively elbow it in the face as I wince from the pain.
I run forward at kobold 1, sidestep it at the last moment as it tries to slash at me, and use my momentum to pounce, both of my blades ripping into its exposed neck.
Kobold 2 tackles me off its dying companion, landing next to goblin 1. I desperately kick the kobold off me, rolling to the side to avoid the goblin's claws and arriving at the feet of goblin 4.
I punch it in the stomach, and while it's recoiling I get back to my feet. My dagger flashes out before it can recover, piercing its skull cleanly. I spin around and block the claws of the kobold trying to hit me from behind. I do a sweeping kick, tripping the beast before plunging my dagger into its vulnerable throat.
I swerve and just barely parry the remaining goblin - my back wound almost made me falter. With the last of my stamina I lunge for its eyes, and… bullseye!
The last monster falls to the ground and stills, leaving me in a room full of dust, corpses, and a few gleaming shards and claws.
I take a moment to get my breathing back under control, suddenly finding it much harder to do so. Was the adrenaline blocking the pain wearing off then? In any case, I was definitely not in the best shape right now. My stamina spent with multiple semi-deep wounds? Seems like a good idea to use that healing potion.
I fumble around, cleaning my daggers with one hand as I use the other to dig around for my single healing pot. Finally grabbing it, I pop the cork off with my thumb and down it all in one go.
I sigh in relief as I suddenly feel a burst of energy and my wounds sizzle shut. I was still quite tender, but this should be enough to get me back out of the Dungeon right as rain.
I quickly scour the room for the dropped shards and drop-items. I go to put them in my bag, and awkwardly pause as my loot pouch was already completely full.
Feeling a little silly, I casually stick the items into my pants pockets. Maximum efficiency, I swear.
With that settled, I make my way back out of the Dungeon's 1st Floor. How long was I even down here exactly? I did eat lunch down here, but I'm not sure if that was my body keeping track of time, or just from all the exercise I was doing… does having a Falna affect your appetite?
Knowing my luck, I'm already late for the shift I'm supposed to be working at the Hostess tonight.
…I'm scared that I don't know. Mama Mia's presence is as intimidating as standing in front of an entire tank battalion. The thought of pissing her off… It terrifies me.
Okay me, time to get some Agility Excelia by running past anything and anyone we come across. Ready? THREETWOONEGO!
And like that I began to bolt out of the Dungeon, ignoring any and everyone in my way. No matter the weird looks I got.
Hours later, I opened the door to my room in the Hostess with a tired sigh, "What a day!" I was too tired to even care at the moment I was still in my waitress uniform and instead of immediately shedding the clothes like I did yesterday, I just plopped forward onto my bed.
Thankfully, I had only been in the Dungeon for about 10 hours - from about 8 to 5:30-ish. But that also meant I had no time for running past the Hostess in order to see Eina at the guild - both to let her know I was okay and to trade in my earnings for the day. I just had to live with the fact she was going to chew my butt off tomorrow.
Between Mama Mia yelling at me and Eina yelling at me, I prefer the latter.
I made it to the Hostess just in time to slink in, quickly freshen up, and get changed in order to start my shift at the busiest time of day for the place. And between my embarrassment of my attire, the running I did to get here, and all the exercise I was effectively doing in the Dungeon - I could tell my face was flushed all night.
I kept on getting tips from patrons, yet barely any lewd comments like the night prior either. I'm not sure how I felt about that. I feel like I would have gotten stranger looks if the patrons realized I was a guy, which I had so far been able to keep up my ruse as a girl… as far as I could tell anyway. At least, I don't think every single patron would have silently agreed to keep my status as a male secret just to spare my feelings.
I had a feeling that weird rumors were spreading about my 'Belko' character if pity was the look all those folks were giving me.
Ah, whatever. I'm too tired to care anymore. I'll stop by Hestia before she goes to work to update my status before metaphorically getting myself roasted a new one by Eina.
Future Bell, I wish you the best of luck!
Other POV
Syr poked her head around the open door to Bell's room, and noticed how he fell asleep face first on his bed - without even changing.
"How cute…" Syr whispered to herself, not wanting to wake her Odr. With the grace of a goddess, she silently entered the room and gingerly readjusted Bell under his covers. Removing his shoes, of course. It was only proper.
She stepped back and looked at Bell's sleeping face. She couldn't help but giggle softly at how relaxed and innocent he now looked. She wondered what his face would look like if he realized he was being observed. A new shade of red, no doubt.
Unable to resist any longer, she darted forward, brushing her lips against his forehead. The action dealt massive recoil damage to herself, bringing a blush covering her own face as she quickly made her escape from the room. Somehow still mindful enough to not make too much noise on her way out, she closed the door behind her before run-walking towards her own room.
Unbeknownst to Syr, Chloe and Ryuu both witnessed Syr enter and leave the room.
Chloe clicked her tongue, "How bold! I'll have to step up my game in order to get that sweet, sweet cross-dressing booty!"
Ryuu nonchalantly bonked the top of Chloe's head. "Bad," she said with a deadpan.
Ryuu then proceeded to drag the whining Chloe away from Bell's room. It was a shame, as Ryuu had intended on healing him. Only since he didn't look so well this evening. No other reason.
Main POV
"What the hell!?" Hestia cried out as she updated my Status. I went over to her place right after I finished opening the Hostess. I meant to get my first update yesterday evening, but that obviously hadn't happened.
"What?" I asked, "What does it say?"
She slammed a piece of paper on my back, a little harder than necessary, before doing whatever it is with her Arcanum that lets her just make a copy of my Status. "Here!" she said, pushing the paper in front of my face before hopping off of my back.
Bell Cranel
Level 1
Strength: I: 0 - I: 82
Vitality: I: 0 - I: 45
Dexterity: I: 0 - H: 105
Agility: I: 0 - G: 208
Magic: I: 0 - I: 0
Magic:
()
Skills:
Liaris Freese - Rapid Growth. Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings.
Singularity - The user is immune to all mental and spiritual attacks.
Development Abilities:
()
Two plus eight plus ten, carry two, eight plus six, carry 1, and ten plus six… 440 points in a single level up. Okay, I know I ran past a lot of enemies on my way out of the Dungeon yesterday, but even I can tell this is ridiculous.
"This is ridiculous, isn't it?" I ask out loud.
"From what I hear, that's like three to four months of stats from a single day of grinding!" Hestia exclaimed.
"My advisor's going to be so mad," I groaned.
"Your advisor?" Hestia asked me in confusion, no doubt wondering why I was bringing her up.
"She made me promise I couldn't go to the second floor unless I had at least 50 points in three of my basic stats," I explain, "I made a joke that I'd do it in a couple of days…"
"Bell!" Hestia exclaimed in exasperation, "How exactly is that being subtle?"
"I'll play it up as Excelia coming from that brawl with the adventurers at the Hostess!" I exclaim as an idea comes to mind, "I wonder if I can get Ryuu-san to show me some tips…"
"Absolutely not!" Hestia immediately rejects that idea, "I'm already uncomfortable with you living in that den of women, let alone spending one on one time with them!"
"But Ryuu-san seems like she has had a lot of experience as an adventurer," I point out, "Being a new Familia, we don't have anyone besides Eina-san to show me the ropes. And frankly, my fighting style barely exists. It could really help ensure I stay safe in the Dungeon, you know?"
"Damn you and your logic!" Hesita hissed, her statement giving her hesitant approval. "But no flirting! I expect you to only focus on your training!"
"That's fine," I said, "I don't think Ryuu-san would appreciate such thoughts from me anyway. She is an elf, after all."
"That doesn't fill me with much confidence…" Hestia muttered.
Huh? What was that response? Is Bell's elf fetish that apparent? I mean, I'm not helping matters in that regard, but still…
Let's abandon this line of thought. It's dangerous.
Quickly put my shirt and light armor back on, I tell her, "Welp, I'm heading out, wish me luck!"
"Stay safe, Bell-kuuun!" Hestia called out after me as I quickly ascended the stairs out of the secret basement, her earnest feelings reaching me. I couldn't help but smirk giddily as I ran in the direction of the guild. Something about a pretty girl wishing you luck does wonders for morale, I realized.
Not even the yelling of dismay as I showed Eina ONLY my Basic Stats could kill my mood.
I left the guild about 10,000 valis richer. Would have been a little over 12,000 if I didn't take up Eina's offer of a damage resistant watch to help keep track of time. Why was the watch so expensive? Besides the sturdy material to protect the gears, it also had a small magic stone in it to light up the screen so it was easier to see the clock hands in the dark of the Dungeon.
Convenient.
I quickly doubled back to the Blue Pharmacy run by Miach's Familia and bought four of the lowest quality health potions from the brown-haired and purple-eyed Chienthrope, Naaza Erisuis.
I went to Blue Pharmacy because their potions were cheaper than going to Dian Crecht. They might be of lesser quality, but they would get the job done.
With that, though, I was 2,000 valis poorer. A portion of the remainder would be saved for future purchases, while a saddening amount would be going to replenishing or repairing other miscellaneous items and gear for my Dungeon exploration.
Closer to Hestia's Church than Babel at this point, I quickly swung by to drop off the last of my money before bolting to the Dungeon for another hard day's work.
Hours later, I sighed as I finally finished the last of the chores for cleaning up after closing the Hostess.
I had spent a good 11 hours in the Dungeon, not counting lunch and rest breaks to maintain my stamina. Ended up having to use two of my potions. The increased spawn rate on the second floor was noticeable enough that I came across more groups of monsters than the usual 1 to 3 found on the first floor. My combat skills, or lack thereof, became clear as I struggled keeping track of so many enemies at once. Or rather, my inability to kill them quickly enough so their numerical advantage was not that great.
I knew I was wasting a lot of energy with moves that didn't flow well together, but I didn't know enough about sword or dagger play to know where to start. I knew a decent amount about martial arts, which had been coming in clutch whenever I needed to instinctively block an attack with my arms or kick a monster away from me.
So yeah, while it was a little embarrassing, I definitely needed to—
"Cranel-san?" Ryuu's voice suddenly called out from beside me.
"Ah!" I yelped in surprise, "R-Ryuu-san?"
"That kind of lack of situational awareness will get you killed in the Dungeon, you know," Ryuu-chan chided me.
"You're right," I couldn't deny her words. "I was just lost in thought, I'll remember to stay focused while in the Dungeon."
"Good," Ryuu said simply, and if I was not mistaken, she was looking rather pleased with herself. I guess Ryuu was the type of person who took pride in helping out her 'kouhais' - not that said word was ever thrown around, thank goodness for that.
"On that note…" I gather my courage, before asking the elf, "would you be willing to give me more tips on how to survive in the Dungeon? If you don't mind, of course."
"And why are you asking me, exactly?" Ryuu asked with a raised eyebrow.
I could feel my ever-present workplace blush increase, "It's just, I don't have any experienced adventurers in my Familia to help me out. And you're the only one on the staff who has actually seen how bad I am. And if it's you, my ego won't be hurt too much when you bluntly point out my mistakes."
"...Pervert," Ryuu accuses me with a straight face.
"I am not a masochist!" I vehemently deny, "I just mean that since you're, uh, an elf - it is almost expected for you to look down on a human like me. So the threshold my self-esteem can take will rise proportionally."
"There's a fundamental flaw in that logic… but oh well," Ryuu said with a sigh, leaving me mildly confused. Of all the staff, I had interacted with the Ryuu the least since our initial encounter. While that hadn't been a very long time at all yet, I still had the impression that Ryuu was avoiding me. Probably because she wanted to avoid the human boy in the all-female pub. But I couldn't help but ask for her help regardless, because I knew how good she was; as far as I was aware, she was the only member of the staff that was regularly practicing her skills after all.
I could be wrong, but I hadn't noticed any signs of the other girls training in the courtyard outside the annex. I hadn't been here long at all, but even so it seemed obvious to me. So it was probably the case that only Ryuu was using it.
"Fine," Ryuu said, surprising me that she agreed so easily, "You've proven yourself to be the hardworking sort. Training starts shortly after 5 in the morning, before opening. If you join me in the garden, I will do my best to train you."
I couldn't help but blink in surprise at how easy that ended up being, "Uh, yes! Thank you so much, please take care of me!" I finish with a deep and thankful bow.
"I wonder if you will regret those words…" Ryuu said ominously, like she was deep in thought in a memory.
"Huh?" I ask, not sure I heard her correctly as I look up at her.
But Ryuu was already walking away.
I watched her walk off, trying to finish processing this series of events when someone poked the side of my face.
"Belko-chan is broken, nya," Anya Fromel's voice said as she continued poking my cheek repeatedly. She suddenly stopped and started groping at my chest.
"Ah!" I yelped, startled at being suddenly molested.
"I noticed Belko-chan was bigger today, nya," Anya vaguely explained herself as she tried kneading my chest.
I was red like a tomato, "I-I…"
Oh dammit I knew I shouldn't have–!
"Indeed," Chloe said, coming from out of nowhere, "I was extremely dissatisfied to see your androgynous appearance appear more feminine today. Without direct contact, I'm not sure I'll be able to recover from the emotional damage you've inflicted on me today. You must take responsibility, Belko-san."
"I-I am not giving anyone 'direct contact'! And let go of me already!" I cry out in exasperation.
"What and why, nya?" Anya asked, again her question barely legible.
"Eh?" I had trouble following what she was asking.
"I-I think Anya is asking what you're using to pad your c-chest and w-why?" Lunoire Faust chimed in, stuttering from watching the unusual and embarrassing scene.
"Er… um…" I stuttered, this was so embarrassing! "I, uh, they're tomatoes. And, um, I thought it would be weird if a girl my age didn't have anything, uh, going on there. It's just to maintain my disguise!"
The girls looked at each other in silent conversation for a moment before looking at me again. Lunoire was apparently their representative for their collective opinion, "It could go either way, I suppose. Our conclusion, however, is that you're a pervert."
"No way…" I gasp out in horror. Both in embarrassment and the slim chance they are correct. I fell through Anya's grasp and onto my knees. "I'm not… I swear I'm not… It's just to maintain my disguise…! It'd be even worse if anyone else realized…! That I am a man…! It's all for that sake!"
There was silence as the girls let me stew in apparent denial. Or that's what it felt like.
"...If it helps," Chloe, chimed in, "you are a very convincing girl."
"...Yes," I responded after flinching terribly, "But it still causes severe damage…"
"Well…" Syr's voice came from nowhere, filling my soul with dread the teasing master would appear in my hour of despair, "at least you'll be able to satisfy your elf and masochism fetish tomorrow morning!"
I felt like crying. Why is my life like this? I don't think this is normally how a hero story is supposed to work.
I bolt to my feet, pointing at Syr as my face burned like a fire, "Since when have I had either of those fetishes?!" Why must I play the straight-man in all these comedy bits?!
"Did you not just volunteer to have Ryuu beat you up every morning?" Syr asked innocently.
"I asked her to train me!" I retorted in exasperation, trying to save some of my dignity.
"Is there a difference?" Syr asked the other girls, glancing at them pointedly.
"None." All three answered definitively and in unison.
"Scary…" I said, perturbed at watching such synchronicity in person.
"Nice knowing nya, Belko-chan!" Anya said as she patted my shoulder before heading off to the dorms.
"I didn't even get to grope him once before he died!" Chloe complained as she followed her fellow Cat-Person. I couldn't help but notice that the black-haired cat-girl made no sounds with her footsteps - she was walking silently. Interesting.
"Uh, good luck?" Lunoire wished me as she also went on her way.
There was a beat before I looked over at a smug Syr. "Are you happy now?" I ask with a deadpan.
"Of what?" Syr asked innocently, "I'm just an innocent young maiden making some observations."
I narrow my eyes and point at her, "I'll win one of these games one day, just you wait."
"Yes, I'll be waiting for you, Belko-chan!" Syr said, blushing as she smiled.
I cringed at her use of the feminine, cutsie suffix. I'm not sure Singularity is working, I'm feeling a lot of mental damage right about now…
Though I can't lie about it, I enjoy the banter. It certainly keeps life interesting at least…
Time passed and I continued to make slow progress through the Dungeon. Hestia and I agreed to not show Eina my stats too often, not because we didn't trust her per say but rather just to make sure the rest of the guild didn't leak my progress to all of Orario. Which meant traversing the Dungeon at a pace only slightly faster than the average adventurer. There was just no other way to excuse my growth without risking notice from more powerful deities. Hestia Familia was too new and weak to deal with that kind of pressure; it was just me and Hestia, barely any assets, and not very many allies.
Ryuu, true to her word, helped train me in the mornings before work. Though at times it really did feel like I had actually just become Ryuu's practice dummy with how much I was getting tossed around. Whenever I wasn't getting knocked into unconsciousness, I was getting pushed so hard that muscles I didn't know I even had started locking up, unable to move.
If not for Ryuu using her Noah Heal spell on me repeatedly, I would have seriously died. I definitely wouldn't have been able to afford the expenses if I paid for the equivalent amount of potions needed to heal me. Let alone whatever training fee Ryuu was certainly within her right to ask of me.
I actually felt so bad about it that I negotiated with Mama Mia. In exchange for me paying for my meals at the Hostess, Ryuu could get a raise. Ryuu certainly didn't seem like the type of person who would accept the money directly from me, so this was the next best thing.
Why was I still staying and working at the Hostess after two weeks? It was a combination of Hestia being embarrassed about the Abandoned Church being in such a state of ruin in a bad part of Orario and because she also seemed to enjoy the misery my Hostess uniform caused me.
Every other night, she'd join Mama Mia behind the bar. Cleaning glasses as she watches me suffer, I mean work. Mama Mia didn't care, because Hestia's presence did well enough to help draw in more customers. Perverts.
And frankly, the food was amazing and the company ensured that every day was never boring. I also can't help but admit that working in a service job was pretty nostalgic and comforting. Nothing like serving food and booze to people while crossdressing keeps your ego in check, I tell you.
Which was necessary. No, completely and utterly required. Because my skill points were far outstripping my actual skill with the blade and the associated tactics.
I thought back onto what Hestia had shown my Status to be that morning before I headed into the Dungeon.(1)
Bell Cranel
Level 1
Strength: D: 572
Vitality: A: 804
Dexterity: D: 595
Agility: B: 712
Magic: I: 0
Magic:
()
Skills:
Liaris Freese - Rapid Growth. Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings.
Singularity - The user is immune to all mental and spiritual attacks.
Development Abilities:
()
I was making about 35 points in each stat per day - not counting Vitality which shot up the most from Ryuu throwing me around. No Magic though, which made me wonder if the Excelia from all the reading I did before arriving here would count or not? It seemed like not, but it doesn't hurt to wonder.
And technically, I was eligible for a Level Up as soon as I got enough Excelia in one go from performing an extraordinary feat. But I was planning on holding off until my stats were maxed before trying to let that go through. It was just far too necessary to make sure I'm able to survive the bullshit that will be coming my way in the future.
That being said, as I had gone into the Dungeon today, I had the nagging feeling I had been forgetting something important, but that was probably just my imagination getting a little paranoid.
Right?
…
Best keep on my toes then. Just in case?
I started my trek through the Dungeon, with the aim of finally exploring the 5th Floor. Just a bit though, that way I could get Eina off my back enough so that when I properly went to explore the floor she'd be mentally prepared for it. So I was just planning on a quick peak of the first few chambers. That's it.
According to Hestia, my stats were overboard even for the 5th Floor, and also admitted that Floors 1-4 wouldn't really get me as much Excelia like it used to. I have most likely earned more stats from Ryuu's training than I have from the Dungeon itself at this point.
So, needless to say, I slaughtered my way through to the stairway down to the 5th Floor. My growing skill with the blade and my relatively high stats made it as simple as making a sandwich. It only took two hours since I was stopping to kill and collect the drops from every monster in my way. I was simply too fast for the monsters on this floor to catch me off guard.
'No new monsters on this floor' I couldn't help but note to myself, confirming Eina's lesson on this Floor. The monsters were more numerous and a bit stronger, but it still shouldn't be much of a challenge. Not that I was being arrogant, this was just an objective fact.
Still, I made sure to take every fight seriously. I wasn't exactly a fan of getting cut up for no reason, after all.
I just finished off the last two Kobolds from a group of seven with a single whirlwind from my daggers when I heard a loud ROAR like I'd never heard before.
Something very loud and rather big was headed my way. That much I could deduce. But what in the hell? Did something come up to Floor 5 from down below? That's supposedly a thing that can happen but I'd never encountered personally.
I squinted as I noticed a humanoid silhouette in the same direction as the loud roar through a nearby tunnel. I paled as I realized that the silhouette was not only much bigger than it should be for how close it was, but the fact its head had two horns.
"Fuck!" I yelled as I immediately turned around and began running the way I came. That was a Minotaur!
Fuck, fuck, FUCK!
I'm retarded! How could I forget how the literal start of the show unrolls the credits?! What are the chances of this even happening?! Me coming down here on the exact same day?! What the hell?!
I ran and ran, just like the rabbit I'm called by the men and women that visit the Hostess constantly call me by. But based on the systematic thudding behind me, the Minotaur was easily keeping pace with me.
Wonderful! Its weakest stat is equal to my second greatest. Good to know all the Vitality I have is finally going to be put to good use!
I hoped and dreaded that I would run into another party of adventures. Hope for backup. And dread, because they'd probably just end up as a momentary distraction before getting slaughtered… which was something that Bell – that I – just couldn't stand for. Now matter how terrified I felt right now.
"Fuck…" I gasped in despair as I ran right into a tunnel. It's not like I had the 5th Floor map memorized yet. And even if I did, I was hardly in the mental state to recall it.
I turned around to see the Minotaur stop in the gap that led to this isolated chamber. It was clearly smart enough to realize it had me pinned. It's urge to kill me greater now than whatever it was trying to get away from in the first place.
I took a deep breath as I gripped my daggers tight enough to whiten my fists. I just had to lure him into the chamber, sneak around, and escape through the chokepoint. I didn't have the magic or strength to even scratch this thing.
The beast roared before swinging at me, the chamber's length was so small he barely needed to step out of the chokepoint to reach me. I tried dodging by running past the side of the swing, only for the Minotaur to seamlessly stop its punch and pivot to pummel me into the air so I hit the wall.
I could feel what felt like my ribs cracking as the stone wall crunched behind me. "Gaaaaah!" I screamed in pain, dropping my weapons in shock.
The world was spinning. Did I hit my head? I can't tell– oh wait, there's blood flowing over my eye. Definitely hit my head.
I desperately lock my knees and push myself out from being stuck on the Dungeon wall. If I'm going to die again, I'll do it on my feet–!
!
Again?
My head suddenly hurt like I got hit by a bunch of rocks. Was that a delayed reaction from hitting the wall? Hnnng! That hurts!
The Minotaur slowly loomed over me, as if taking pleasure from my struggle. I weakly raised my bent arms in a feeble attempt to guard my head and chest. Not that I thought it'd do much but delay the inevitable.
The Minotaur attacked. I unlocked my knees, instantly crumpling to the floor, the deadly punch sailing over me. I wanted to roll past the Minotaur, under his legs, but immediately realized I didn't even have the strength to do that. My stamina was spent.
I don't know why I did it. Maybe I had just accepted death at this point. But I took the remainder of the strength I had left and punched at the nearest leg of the Minotaur.
Obviously, it didn't do anything. It was like punching a brick wall that had metal plating on the other side. But somehow I was satisfied.
Perhaps it was because I tried until I no longer had any strength remaining. But somehow there was no fear for myself. Maybe I no longer had the energy for it. Or maybe I was just at peace.
I closed my eyes, literally unable to do anything else but wait for the end.
It never came. I heard the woosh of a sword swinging unbelievably fast. I felt warm blood splash all over my face as the Minotaur gave a final dying roar before exploding into ash. A thud as its magic stone fell to the ground.
I slowly opened my eyes. It took a moment for the image to focus.
"Are you… okay?" the female above me asked stoically.
That's when I finally can make out the sight of a young girl, no… that wasn't enough to describe her in that moment.
Her thin body is decorated with white and light blue clothing. Even in armor, she radiates feminine beauty.
She stands tall, despite her petite frame. Her bulging twins are packed tightly into a breastplate engraved with a silver emblem. The same emblem graces her wrists and blood-soaked saber. She points the glistening blade downward, the blood dripping harmlessly to the floor.
The blond hair hanging down to her waist shines so brightly, I could swear it's made of real gold.
Atop a body that any woman would call delicate perches the face of a sweet, young girl.
She looks down upon me with golden eyes.
I felt like I should recognize the angel before me. But I could barely see, let alone pull up data from long term brain storage.
My eyes probably rolled into the back of my head as I fell into darkness.
Other POV
Ais Wallenstein looked at the red-haired boy below her. She wasn't sure what she was feeling exactly, but it wasn't a good one to be sure. 'Am I so scary that he passed out?' She innocently wondered to herself, somehow misunderstanding the current circumstances.
'What did Mama Riveria say to do in a situation like this?' Ais wondered to herself, 'Maybe he just needed to recover? Ah! That's right! A 'lap pillow' is what Mama Riveria called it! …What was that again? Um… going by the name of it…'
Ais proceeded to kneel down, sitting on her heels, before placing the boy's head on her lap.
'I hope this is right…' Ais thought innocently. Her eyes lingering on the boy's soft looking hair.
…
…
…
'How long was I supposed to do this for?' Ais wondered, honestly concerned she might do something wrong. Ais couldn't take her eyes off his red-locks. She had the image of a blood-red rabbit in her head at the sight for some reason.
…
…
Unable to fight her temptation any longer, she began to pet the boy's head.
'It's so soft,' Ais concluded, 'and… sticky. Oh, that's just blood.' She finally noticed.
Ais had another feeling, it was different than before, but also not good. But she feels like she did something wrong, but she's not sure what.
…
She started petting him again anyway.
Author's Notes:
1 - This is the result of Bell having Liaris Freese from the beginning while getting regular training from Ryuu for 14-16 days
Hidden Effect of Singularity, Bell finds it harder to feel the fear of death for himself. This typically results in feelings of acceptance. The inability to feel a fear of death also makes it harder for his brain to make the connection to draw up any memories to any regrets he might have. While great for ensuring his fear isn't distracting him in a life and death situation, it also makes it harder for him to resist the call of death. The only way around this mental block would be to force him to think of things he might regret, like being able to save his loved ones. In short, as long as he has an ally nearby, this is less of a risk.
Bell running into the Minotaur just like in the series is an ironic coincidence. That's just his bad luck kicking in. Sue me for using this encounter to introduce Bell and Ais to each other. How could I not? Would it really be a Danmachi story without this fateful encounter? I don't think so.