Is it Wrong to Live Transmigrated as Bell Cranel in a Dungeon?

Chapter 5: Monsterphilia

"In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable."

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Could I change fate?

Encountering Hestia was less of a coincidence than I originally thought, as I managed to learn she had been following me around for some time. Learned it one night while she was drunk.

Encountering the 5th Floor Minotaur and Ais was more of a coincidence, as I had no idea exactly when it would occur to begin with and only went to the 5th Floor by happenstance. Ais following the Minotaur was the only guaranteed part about it. But the fact it happened that way at all was certainly a coincidence.

Monsterphilia was the linchpin as far as I was concerned. It would at least be the confirmation that Freya was watching me. I certainly felt like I was being watched on several occasions, but I was always in a busy place when it happened so it was easy to wave off.

Getting employed at the Hostess was a potential sign of Freya's favor. I didn't think it was too hard for Freya as Syr to convince Mama Mia to do me a favor. But it also could have just been Mama Mia's good-nature to begin with. Not necessarily a scheme to allow me daily contact with Syr.

And I still wasn't one hundred percent certain that Syr was in fact Freya. I kept in mind that she probably was, but I couldn't be certain that all of my 'foreknowledge' was even accurate. It certainly seemed reliable, but I wasn't going to bet on it without actual evidence in front of me.

Monsterphilia would certainly be a convincing piece of evidence. Even if just to confirm Freya's gaze and Syr's association. So, I wasn't exactly adverse to 'springing the trap'.

Still, I raised an eyebrow in surprise and suspicion when I heard the day before Monsterphilia that Syr was taking the day off. It wasn't unusual for Syr to have a day off. Everyone of the girls had them somewhat regularly - I was the unusual one who worked everyday, even if not all day.

I raised the other when Mama Mia forced me to also take the day off since I had been in the Dungeon almost non-stop for almost three weeks now.

I had my suspicions that something was afoot. But I could use the opportunity to unwind before getting back into the grind. Basically, either I was walking into Freya's schemes, which would be confirmation about her interest, or I wasn't and I would get to enjoy the festival. It was a win-win. So while I did get into my full gear – which wasn't much to begin with – I intended on just having a good time.

So that was why I was unsurprised yet still anxious when Ryuu came up to me and showed me Syr's money pouch.

"It would seem that Syr left her money behind," Ryuu said to me, "I'm sure she is beside herself, having been so clumsy on her day off. Would you please try and deliver this to her while you are out, Cranel-san?"

"S-sure," I said, "Let's just hope my usual luck doesn't kick in on the way."

Ryuu raised an eyebrow, "How so?"

"Well, I casually visited the 5th Floor only to almost die to a M-minotaur," I stated, stuttering at the end, "So knowing my luck, as soon as I get to the stadium, a bunch of monsters will get loose and cause a panic before trying to maul me. Or something."

"That is quite the imagination, Cranel-san," Ryuu said, looking at me oddly. I guess she didn't believe in Bell's luck yet.

"I have read a lot of hero stories," I said with a laugh, "Anyway, I'll go ahead and try and get this to her then. Later, Ryuu-san!"

"Have a good day," Ryuu said her farewell.

With that out of the way, I made my way towards Monsterphilia. It was time to face the music and see whether I was really in unseen territory or if Fate was pulling the strings…

Other POV

One Day Ago…

"...Just what is that pose? You've been doing it since yesterday," Hephaestus demanded, near her wits end.

"… Dogeza," Hestia said simply

"Do-ge-za?" It sounded familiar, but Hephaestus couldn't place it.

"Také told me this pose has the power to make people forgive whatever you have done and grant any request," Hestia answered, still postrated on the floor.

"Také…?"

"Takemikazuchi…" Hestia elaborated.

"Aaa…," said Hephaestus as the face of the god in question floated into her mind. She knew that if Hestia was taking his advice, this could be a real pain.

"… Hestia, tell me. Why are you going this far?" Because she had to know. If Hestia was just being spoiled again, or if it really was for something more. Could she have changed? Hephaestus needed to know.

"… Because I want to help him!" Hestia answered, she didn't look up, only raised her voice loud enough to be clearly understood.

"He's changing, and quickly. He—Bell has a goal, and he's chosen the hardest path to follow. It's a dangerous path, that's why I want to help! I want to give him the strength he needs! A weapon that will clear a path for him!"

There was a beat of silence before Hestia added, "...There's something weighing him down. A burden I don't understand, can't understand unless he tells me… But he's so afraid! I can tell at least that much! I want him to trust in me - in us! I don't want him to be afraid any longer!"

Hestia continued her rant:

"He is always helping me! I feel like I am living off his hard work! I'm his goddess, but I haven't done anything godlike for him!" Hestia's whole body tensed as she squeezed out her next words, "… I hate being useless…"

"… All right," Hephaestus answered, convinced. This was something she could get behind.

…She was still going to get paid though.

Present…

Freya POV

A Cafe near Babel Tower…

Freya sat alone, covered completely in robes, as Loki sat across from her, with a loyal child of man and spirit behind the Trickster Goddess.

Freya was jealous. Not at how the golden haired girl and his souls' glowed that night. Not just for that anyway. Rather, she was jealous of the bond between goddess and child before her. She could feel the closeness of the bond between goddess and child.

"Well, then, I think it's about time ya tell me why I'm here," Loki demanded, ending the small talk she had been having with Freya before now. Ais Wallenstein continued to be silent behind her.

"I just wanted to chat. It's been a while," Freya claimed.

Freya wondered if there could be a time where she could be outside of these robes and know with certainty that anyone standing beside her could truly see her. To see Freya in her entirety and say it was Good.

"Lyin' through your teeth," Loki sent a smirk at Freya, who was still smiling under her hood.

"I'll ask you again, why?"

"I don't understand. What's the matter, Loki?"

Freya missed them already. She'd only been away from Ryuu Lion and Bell Cranel for 12 hours, 27 minutes, and 42 seconds. Her heart felt cold. Being away from her friend was uncomfortable. Being away from her Odr was torture. She loved her Familia, and they loved her, but she still felt pain from the loss no matter how fleeting.

"Come on, moron. You been strange recently. You claim not to be interested in the Celebration, but poke your head in at the last minute. Say you're there for information? You don't care about that, you never have… What are you scheming?"

"Scheming…? Why do you make it sound so evil?" Freya said with an innocent giggle. Her composure showing nothing of the turmoil within, as she had done for countless years.

Freya was Love. Why were people always surprised when she was unyielding in her search for it? Desire for it? For wanting to protect it? And what was hers? Because she loved all that loved her. Love for love. It was simple really.

"Shut your mouth," Loki groaned, it seemed she was getting tired at Freya's nonanswers and just started making an educated guess.

Loki said, in a more relaxed voice, "A man, isn't it?"

"…" Freya didn't answer, she just kept smiling. Which for Loki, looked to just be confirmation.

"So… You got an eye for a child already in another Familia, I take it?" Loki deduced.

Freya didn't try to deny Loki's words.

"Jeez, woman. Is that all ya think about? You'll go after anyone, young or old?" Loki said mockingly

"How rude. I do have standards," Freya, of course, was unaffected by Loki's wit.

"Leaving out all the bumbling idiots on Tenkai you pull fast ones on?"

"They have their uses. I'm quite skilled at getting money out of them," Freya admitted bluntly.

"Who's the guy? What child are you after now? When did you find him?" Loki leaned her head to the side, clearly trying to get Freya to spill the details. Which Loki loved, unlike Freya. And if she didn't get the goods now, she'd just leave.

"…" Freya said nothing. She wondered how much she should say. Freya was smart enough to know that saying nothing would just needlessly antagonize the other deity.

"I came all this way, changed my plans. I have the right to know," Loki further pressured, interpreting the silence as a reluctance to answer.

"… He's not that strong. Weak if you compare him to the children in our Familias. Easily upset, his face lights up red at the slightest of problems. That kind of child," Freya said lovingly, a silent 'but' at the end of her pause, "...He was beautiful. Unique. Multifaceted. A beginning and an end. I've never seen anything like it. I found him by accident. He just happened to walk across my line of vision…"

"It was just like this…" Freya reminisced.

Busy streets, the bustle of the crowd, the smell of food and drink in the air. He had appeared from out of nowhere–

She spotted him from the corner of her eye, she wasn't even trying to look for anyone or anything and there he was. All those times she had actively sought out her Odr… only to appear when she wasn't even searching. When she wasn't sure if there was any point in looking anymore…

"…" Freya stopped breathing. For her eyes had found that white-haired human boy in light adventurer's armor. He jumped between people, jogged for a bit, and then stopped before doing it all again.

Like a rabbit.

The boy was moving toward the stadium. Monsterphilia. Riding the river of people, he was well on his way to the circular building not too far down the road.

Freya watched him for a moment. A new, sweet smile grew on her lips. She silently thanked the boy for once again saving her from the despair that was loneliness and hopelessness.

Freya loved her children dearly, but only Ottar was the closest to understanding her. And even then, the barrier that was Divinity limited even that relationship to master and servant.

Freya loved Ryuu Lion. While it may be under disguise, she finally had a female friend. A true friend unlike any she made in Tenkai - where her immense beauty tainted every relationship with lust or envy. But even this friendship was hindered by Ryuu's demons and Freya's own deception.

All of these things made Freya more complete, closer to perfection and actualization. But it was not enough to make her whole. She knew this.

Even what she had now with what had to be her Odr was not enough to fill the emptiness in her heart. Because like how Ryuu was friends with Syr but not Freya, so too was Bell Cranel only friends with Syr and not Freya.

But it helped. The addition of the white haired boy into her life made every day shine brighter. Was this not true love?

She knew they were not ready for her. She wanted to share everything with them. She wanted their everything for herself in return.

Freya had picked up the pieces of Ryuu that was left in that dark alleyway, so she knew more than anyone that Ryuu had no future until she could be free of the past.

Freya knew her Familia, the children she cared for so much that she made sure to do her part in meeting their expectations of her. She knew they wouldn't tolerate someone of Bell Cranel's strength to be among their number, much less the center of her attention.

So. She compromised with herself to maintain everything she had built. Freya would be with her children and Syr would be with her friends. Friendship would turn to love – in one form or another – as it always does.

Thus. As Syr had helped Ryuu, so too would Freya help Bell. Everything in balance, as it should be. Like how eternal light and infinite void swirled and swirled…

And she knew this had to be a sign to make a move.

For it must be Fate. For him to show up before her in this form right as she thought of him. It was about time she… yes…

"I apologize. Something has come up," Freya declared definitively.

"Eh?" Loki said, completely thrown off.

"Let's do this again soon," Freya said idly, already leaving. She adjusted her cloak as she began to walk away.

"What kinda person just leaves you hanging like that…?" Loki wondered, unaware that Freya could still hear her. Loki then realized something, "And with the bill!? That bitch!"

Ais, with her usual stoic deadpan, and had this to say, "Language."

Freya chuckled to herself. She had to admit, pranking a trickster goddess was very amusing. Someday, she would thank Bell for the inspiration for bringing her machinations 'down to earth' as she's heard her children say.

Main POV

I idly made my way down West Main Street, passing by Babel to get onto East Main.

Frankly, I doubted I would be able to find Syr even if she was actually in the crowd. She could be, but my intuition was seriously doubting it. My instincts were all but screaming that I was walking right into Freya's machinations. But I couldn't be certain until they actually happened, so I had little choice but to persevere.

Speaking of the crowd, it was very impressive. And loud. So I didn't notice Hestia until she was right next to me, yelling out, "Bell-kun!"

"Oh!" I said in surprise, "You spooked me. How was the celebration?"

"It was great!" Hestia exclaimed, "Everything went perfectly. Hehe~"

She swayed in place, which had me notice that she had something in a light purple cloth tied to herself.

"Anything to do with that?" I ask, "Or is that lunch?"

"It's not lunch!" Hestia said firmly, "It's a surprise for later! Speaking of, let's go on a date, Bell-kun!"

"Eh? Uh, sure," I say, not used to Hestia being so direct, "But I'm not here just to enjoy the festival though. I was trying to get my co-worker her money pouch."

"Even better!" Hestia said, not even the slightest upset at the mention of another girl, "Then we can look for them on our date! Two birds with one stone, as they say!"

I chuckle, "Well, you aren't wrong."

Before I knew it, we were sitting by the stadium with some crepes. I'd never had them before so I was pretty interested.

I was a bit surprised for Hestia to offer me hers after she took a bite, "Open your mouth, Bell-kun!"

Jokes on her, an indirect kiss meant nothing to me. The real deal though…

So without hesitation, I bit into her crepe right were she did. As I pulled away, eating it, I watched as Hestia blushed. Looks like she didn't expect that!

An idea came to my mind, and I couldn't help but go all in with teasing my goddess. I swallowed the crepe I had eaten and smiled with lidded eyes, and said, "Delicious."

I channeled my inner Syr for this. Maximum attack power!

"A-ah, good!" Hestia stuttered, blushing. And the reaction was worth it! I feel like I understand Syr a little more now, this was great.

I then offered her mine, "Fair play, right?"

Eager for anything as a distraction, Hestia gladly takes a bite out of my crepe and in the process gets some cream on her cheek.

"What's that look? Something on my cheek?" Hestia said cheekily, her ears still very much red, "Could you get it for me?"

Too easy. It was cute watching her try to regain the momentum, but she had taken significantly more embarrassment-al damage than I had.

I caress her cheek with my hand, wiping the dot of cream with my thumb before taking my hand back. I went ahead and ate the cream off my thumb with a satisfied hum.

Hestia was the one red like a tomato for once. Her expression was amazing, it can't be put into words. I wonder if Syr would be proud of her disciple. Probably.

With Hestia's Date Power(™) at an all time low, she got really shy and sheepish. So I went ahead and took charge of our little date.

We were able to quickly finish our crepes and move on. We continued looking around the Colosseum for Syr to no avail. We stopped at a few more stands to try the festival food along the way.

A lot of the food looked weird, but was surprisingly delicious.

And like a light switch being flipped, the crowd's chatter suddenly turned to screams as a roar came from the Colosseum entryway near us. A Silverback monster with armor plating appeared right after with screams of 'Monster!' being heard all around.

"A monster?!" Hestia yelled in shock.

The beast looked right at us, or rather at Hestia. And it roared with violent intent.

I could feel sweat roll down my neck. I just had to be right!

Well, the main goals of having fun and verifying Freya's intentions had been achieved. Time for the secondary goals of defeating the monster and protecting as many civilians as possible!

"B-bell, you think it's looking at me?" Hestia asked.

I quickly pick up Hestia in a bridal carry and start booking it, "Sure is! And I'm not going to give it the chance!"

"E-eeeeeh?!" Hestia stammered, somehow more focused on being in a princess carry than the fact we were now being chased by a monster that wanted to kill us.

I quickly ran through my options on where to go. The Colosseum was located near the far eastern side of Orario. There wasn't exactly anywhere ideal to run. Head north and you end up in the blacksmithing districts, just because those blacksmiths can make weapons it doesn't mean they can protect themselves with them.

Well, they probably can. But who knows what damage the Silverback might do to the infrastructure? If weapons and armor production gets seriously impeded in the city, the consequences, while unknowable, would very likely be dire.

Meanwhile, Daedalus Street may have a lot of people due to it being where the poor congregated. However, with how complicated the design was, the people there were used to the terrain and how to avoid trouble. In fact, the sheer congestion of the smaller streets would mean that there would be less people around. Ironically it was the best place to lure the beast away from potentially hurting others. And I had to make sure to lure the beast away, because I wasn't confident my cheap weapons would be able to last long against the beast – but I was confident in my ability to not get myself killed in the meantime. I was basically going to stall for time.

The only downside to the entire plan, of course, was that going into Daedalus Street would also make it harder for backup to find me. But…

I could see a crying child in the corner of my vision.

Great power, great responsibility echoed in my head.

…I couldn't just talk a big game without following through!

"So!" I decided to try and calm down with some banter, "What's that guy's problem? You owe him money, Hestia-sama?"

"I do not!" Hestia denied, "How could you say that?"

"Don't know him then?" I said in between controlled breaths, idly keeping track on how the beast was barely keeping pace with us. "Scorned lover? He seems like a stalker-type kinda guy!"

"As if!" Hestia retorted, catching onto the comedy bit. Didn't stop her from bonking me on the head.

"Haha…ha…" I laughed, tapering off at the end as my nerves still got to me. This sensation of running away from a large, bidel monster was pretty familiar…

Damnit, this isn't the time for PTSD to start up…!

And the nerves were suddenly gone, replaced with nothing.

!

I remembered this feeling, it was like when I almost died to the Minotaur. So this is Singularity at its extreme… Apparently extreme mental stress counts as a mental attack that it thus tries to suppress. I guess that while it can't block my fears, it can stop me from locking up because of them. In any case, however…

I glance at Hestia in my arms for a moment.

…I have no intention of just lying down and accepting death! I have people waiting for me!

I then realized I hadn't heard the Silverback's hopping behind me for longer than usual. The reason for that became clear as he almost landed right on top of us!

Is this what I get for losing focus for a few moments? Fate can go fuck off!

The force of its landing caused a shockwave that knocked Hestia out of my arms - forward and away from me.

I pushed my back off of the ground, and seeing the beast perpendicular in regards to the line between me and Hestia I knew I couldn't get to her before it did.

I lept to my feet, drew my daggers, and aimed to attack at the nearest gauntlet with large chains with the goal of removing the armor and ranged weapon.

Unfortunately, the beast's arm moved so that instead of striking the armor strap, I hit the armor directly. My daggers, cheap and in desperate need of replacement, instantly shattered.

I really regretted not getting an upgrade at that moment. But what was I supposed to do? All the places I happened across either had prices way too high for my budget or were blatant pieces of shit. I didn't exactly have knowledge on good places to get quality gear for a good price. Much less the skills needed to negotiate for cheaper prices.

I instinctively closed my eyes to protect them from the shrapnel as my weapons shattered. The distraction was enough for the Silverback to palm strike me into the nearest wall with so much force the wall buckled and the magic, hanging lamp post fell to the ground with me.

It hurt like hell, like getting tackled by a couple offensive linemen from American football - except you had no padding and the opposing players had the strength of a massive gorilla.

However, I was not so out of it to not take advantage of my situation. I played dead as I palmed the magic lamp post and started aggravating the crystal inside.

I could hear and smell the Silverback approaching me. Figuring it was now too close to miss, I quickly spun up onto to my feet and chucked the lamp into the beast's face.

As I hoped, the magic device exploded with magical energy - the kinetic force from hitting the Silverback enough to cause the device to detonate.

I quickly ran past the beast and scooped Hestia into my arms again. I once again bolted further into the maze. For the moment, we've lost the beast.

"So!" I said, wincing a little as Hestia accidentally bumped into the main bruise where the beast hit me, "Plan A didn't work. And I don't like Plan B."

"W-what's plan B?" Hestia asked.

"Run away until it catches up and murders us?" I said, sounding less certain near the end.

"What kinda plan is that?!" Hestia exclaimed.

"Well!" I said, "This place is a maze and that ape can easily close the distance by climbing around. And it seems like he isn't going to give up going after you. Probably can sense your divinity!"

"I– that–!" Hestia stammered, not sure what part of my statement to address first.

"Without my weapons, we're pretty doomed!" I said, bounding around another corner. "I know it's weak spot, dead center. But it's armored! I might just be able to take on and end it, but you saw how that went… I know I'm certainly open to suggestions!"

"Weapon!" Hestia exclaimed in realization, "Quick, somewhere we can hide!"

"Roger that!" I follow her command.

We happened to run into a courtyard-like area with a locked gate that probably leads to the sewers or something. I go ahead and set Hestia down.

"You haven't given up, right Bell-kun?" Hestia asked me, testing my resolve.

"I'm scared," I admit, it's a really big gorilla so sue me, "But I won't give up, I can't! Not when it really matters!"

"Then," Hestia said, revealing what was hidden in her cloth pouch, "take this and fight!"

"What is it exactly?" I asked, removing the black knife from its scabbard, noting the glowing hieroglyphs.

"Your - no - our weapon!" Hestia said, correcting herself, "I call it the Hestia Knife! I will bring you victory! I promise!"

Ah… the suspension bridge effect strikes again, because her smile just then was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I could feel the truth in her words, the feelings. Hestia was honestly and truly rooting for me.

I'd known this for awhile, of course. But the unconditional love I felt in that moment still warmed my heart.

The solitude of being someone with knowledge from Beyond, shrunk in its oppression of my being.

Well! I can't exactly let down the expectations of the divine now can I?

I wipe the dust from my eyes and nod, "Right!"

"Now!" Hestia said, "...Bend over so I can update your Status and get the knife all linked up. Before it catches up!"

I felt the serious mood plummet away into a bad comedy skit, "...right."

Mood killer.

I went ahead and knelt down so she could easily update my Status. I couldn't see what the changes were of course, but it was going to be a larger boost than I'm used to considering I usually get daily updates right now and haven't for the last three.

I felt the hairs on the back of my head standup as the beast roared from not that far away. "Hestia-sama…"

"Hush!" Hestia hissed, "Almost… there!"

She yelled out right as the beast landed in the courtyard. Thankfully we had hidden on the far side behind some crates.

She quickly passed the Hestia Knife into my awaiting hand after pulling my shirt back down.

"Hey…" she said to me, "You've got this, you know that right?"

"Yes!" I responded affirmatively, I felt like I was on top of the world. With my power at its strongest yet, and with Hestia believing in me, I surely couldn't fail! I won't allow it!

"Then go get 'em!" she cheered as she pat my back, ushering me into battle.

I bolted out from cover, confronting the beast head on.

The beast roared as it stuck with its chains at the ground in front of me. But I had already lept high into the air, like a rabbit, having intentionally baited the dumb monkey.

I was aiming to fall behind the Silverback and cut the straps holding the chestplate in place. Unfortunately, I wasn't used to my strength yet, so I overdid it and landed too far away.

The Silverback reacted, swinging one of its chains at me. I wasn't ready to dodge, so I blocked, and the Hestia Knife instantly cut through the feeble chains like a knife through hot butter.

"That's our power, Bell-kun!" Hestia called out, "That knife is alive! The more it's wielder – the more you grow, the stronger it will become!"

"Roger that!" I call back, dodging the Silverback's punch by running up its arm. I went to try and cut through the beast's neck, but it tilted its head so that I cut the helmet it was wearing was cut clean off.

I landed in a crouch behind the Silverback, I instantly launched myself back up into the air and struck at the straps holding the chestplate in place.

The Hestia Knife dug into the creature's back, causing it to roar in pain as the armor fell to the ground with a large bang.

I kicked myself off and away from the monster before it could retaliate. I landed, and faced the beast for the final exchange. I yelled out a battle cry as I charged the monster.

It roared back as it went to meet me, swinging with the remaining chain to try and get me first. But it was too slow for me now, I easily jumped to the side and then leapt at the monster. My eyes focused on the center of its chest, and as I flew through the air, I aimed my weapon and ran it right into the Silverback's chest where the monster stone resided.

I heard a familiar 'ting' as I stuck a monster stone, and I knew it was over. I kicked away from the creature, lest it try to get me in its final moments. The beast barely hit the ground before it exploded and dissolved.

I took a deep breath of relief before walking over to the stone and Hestia Knife. I deftly picked them both up, sheathing the later away.

"Bell-kun!" Hestia exclaimed in joy as she glomped me. At the same time, hiding pedestrians came out of their shelters and poked out of windows to start cheering.

I caught Hestia with one arm, and raised the monster stone high in the air to the crowd's jubilation.

"We did it, Hestia-sama!" I laughed in excitement. The mood in the air, everything was just so surreal! "Thank you, Hestia-sama!"

"That's my line! Bell-kun!" Hestia laughed as she hugged me tighter.

I might not be able to completely defy fate. But I sure wasn't going to let it do me in.

Other POV

Ryuu watched the end of the encounter. She couldn't help but smile softly, 'I suppose this is pride. This feeling.' Ryuu thought to herself, her cheeks tinted pink, 'That footwork was a perfect adaptation of my style and his fleetness. Amazing.'

His growth truly was unnatural…

Ryuu then grimaced as she remembered Cranel's parting words to her.

…Though his prediction was a little too spot on for her liking.

Truly life became a lot more interesting ever since Cranel came along.

Ryuu nodded to herself, as if admitting a truer statement had never been said before. She then turned to leave before pausing for a moment.

'Cranel? Since when did I find it comfortable to refer to him so casually?' Ryuu asked herself in confusion, not realizing how she was still being incredibly formal as far as most people were concerned. He had in fact been the only human that she felt comfortable with their touch since Alice…!

Ryuu's mood plummeted, her expression returning to its normal composure, as demons clawed at her heart.

Wishing Cranel-san a silent congratulations, Ryuu left silently back towards the Hostess.

Main POV

Shortly after the excitement, Hestia passed out in my arms. It was a sentiment I could understand. So I quickly scooped her up and took her to my room at the Hostess to rest. It was closer, after all, and I'm sure we could all be mature about it.

Hestia managed to wake up as it got close to evening. We gave ourselves another round of congratulations after we confirmed that Hestia was alright. Hestia also went ahead and gave me a post-battle Status update, which gave us a bit of a surprise.

Bell Cranel

Level 1

Strength: C: 686 - B: 740

Vitality: S: 999 - SS: 1012

Dexterity: C: 699 - B: 731

Agility: A: 888 - S: 952

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.

Focus - The user's Dexterity is increased when fighting and concentrating on a single target. Use can cause tunnel vision.

Development Abilities:

()

Okay, wow. I managed to breach the unbreakable limit of S Rank 999. And I got a new skill in the process. Was that skill a reference to how I was almost diagnosed with Asperger's? I didn't get enough checkboxes ticked… wait that's not the point.

Which makes my inability to Level Up a little funny. I mean, I would have wanted all my stats to be S or above before I did level anyway. But I guess since it was my weaponry and not my stats that was the problem in the Silverback fight, that it wasn't impressive enough to overwhelm the Falna. So it all works out, I'm not sure how Hestia would have reacted if I told her I didn't want to level up yet.

As far as the skill goes, all it really ends up being is a precision and reaction-time buff when I hone in on a single opponent. The risk being that if I use it while fighting a group of enemies, I will lose track of them and become open to getting easily attacked from the back and sides. And better aim and reactions matter little if you don't have the attack power to do anything with it, so it's got its pros and cons.

All in all, it was pretty useless. Almost every encounter in the Dungeon is against multiple opponents. And even in one on one fights against bosses or adventurers, it is still dangerous to get tunnel vision.

Thankfully, if it ends up being an issue, I can just get Hestia to take it off my Falna. For now, we're just trying it out since Skills are — supposed to be anyway — rare.

In any case, tomorrow I'd go back to the usual routine, though I'd go with the intent of conquering the 6th Floor and then the 7th the day after. If I wanted to max out my Level 1 skills, then Floor 5 wasn't going to cut it; even with Liaris Freeze the point amount dropped its per day average.

And I was really hoping to run into Lili soon, as dealing with half-dead monsters or monsters I barely missed the stone's of was getting annoying and cutting into the grind. I was probably losing a third of all the stones that dropped because I simply couldn't find them or be bothered to look any longer. The only excuse I had at this point for not hiring a supporter was that they likely weren't too keen on joining a party with just a single adventurer - as this was quite the risky party to be in, especially with a rookie.

Or, at least, I assumed that much. I didn't actually try scouting people. But I had enough common sense in this world to assume this much.

That and I really wanted to save her. I remembered enough to know that Lili was suffering not just from chronic abuse, but from hatred and loneliness. When I said I was going to save Bell's friends, I meant it.

It was just easier said than done to find a single Prum in a city as large as Orario with the limited resources and manpower at my disposal.

As in, basically no money and just myself.

I… could really use some more allies. That was just sad to hear.

Most importantly, I just hope Eina doesn't yell at me again when she hears what floors I've been to after the fact…

Yeah, it was nice living a second time.

There was a light knock on the door that brought me out of my thoughts. I quickly excused myself to Hestia and went to check the door.

I opened it and found Syr on the other side. She had a concerned smile on her face as she asked quietly, "Is Hestia-sama alright?"

I joined her in the hallway of the annex, and replied, "Yeah, she was just really exhausted from work and the stress of today. Thank you for checking up on us."

"Thank me?" Syr said, her tone a mixture of guilt and incredulousness, "This had all happened because I forgot my wallet. I'm sorry."

"Don't put that burden on your shoulders, Syr," I told her firmly, "I was planning on attending the festival anyway. I choose to be there, and I choose to help you out."

I then grinned cheekily and said, "I know that if you really wanted to hurt me, for whatever reason, you'd just find something to tease me to death with!"

Syr looked at me with shock for a moment, before puffing her cheeks with a blushing pout, "Mouuuu! Bell-kun! Just because you're correct doesn't mean you should ruin the mood!"

"So I was spot on, huh…" I remark to myself.

Syr lightly slapped my shoulder like a wife chastising her husband.

I mock flinched, "I'll behave, dear."

Yep, I used the word 'Anata' or 'dear', not only to play into how Syr was acting, but also to tease her shamelessly.

Sure enough, Syr's face and ears lit up as the word registered. Her eyes even lost focus, like she was caught in a fantasy, but they cleared up so quickly I couldn't help but wonder if I imagined it.

Syr then smiled innocently and said, "Be careful with your words, Bell-kun, a girl might just get ideas."

Before I could continue our banter, Syr leaned in very close to me and whispered, "After all, you were so brave fighting that monster. You led it around to minimize casualties, right? It was very heroic~ In fact, I saw some of your battle myself. You stole my heart~"

I froze. This was much further than our little word games have ever gone before. We've teased each other mercilessly, but never a full-blown confession! Was she–?!

Syr's smile shifted, not quite a sad smile, but more like a 'knowing' one. She put a finger on my lips and said, "I don't want to hear a response from you, Bell-kun. Not for awhile."

Confusion. Bewilderment. Shock. These are the emotions that ran through me.

Eh? Wasn't it usually the case that you give a few days to a week or so before answering a confession Japanese-style? And not bothering for a response when the other person is already in a relationship? Eh? Syr is not following the script I barely know anything about, much less have personal experience with. I'm lost.

Syr then said, "You're still starting your career, no? I know that makes for an awful time for starting a relationship. And besides, you want to be a hero, right? If so, I only want to hear your answer when the time is right."

Okay, that first bit about my career is completely correct and really mature of her to acknowledge. I already had a high opinion of Syr, but it went up a bit with that.

Her second point, however, was more complex and a little confusing. She was tying the concept of me becoming a hero with the kind of sentiment and 'grace period' one gives someone when they just ended a relationship.

Was… was she saying to not answer her until I had grown into becoming a bonafide hero?

If so, that… that was a very roundabout way of declaring that she believed in me. It had the silent confidence equivalent to the expectation of 'when' I would become a hero not 'if' I become one.

A weight fell on my shoulders as another person's expectations weighed on me. But, at the same time, my heart warmed as much as my face was at the faith the silver-haired girl had for me.

Hestia-sama might have supported me and cheered on my goal of heroism. But this was the first time that someone straight up said they believed in me. Hestia-sama had done so in her own way by her struggles to get the Hestia Knife. But this was the first time I had experienced it with words alone. Both ways had meaning, and both had touched my heart.

Syr looked satisfied with herself. I'm sure my look of shock and awe, combined with completely red cheeks and ears was very cathartic for the cheeky, silver-eyed minx.

"Syr-chan…" I whispered, almost reverently.

"The path of a hero is a tough one, is it not? I'll trust that you'll know when the time is right. In the meantime," Syr then said casually, "Let's keep things as they are, okay?"

"Sure…" I said in agreement. I probably would have agreed to anything the other girl proposed to me at that moment. Thankfully, she didn't abuse my moments of 'weakness'.

Syr then said, "Good! I'd better go back to help in the pub now. See you later, Bell-kun!"

And without waiting for a response, Syr left, all but skipping away from me as I still stood there in shock.

My gaze followed her, even when she was long gone.

…I'm a real piece of work to have so many girls taking up spaces in my heart. I feel like I understand an aspect of Subaru from Re:Zero.

I shudder. Best not tempt fate by thinking about the Isekai Hard-mode anime. I'd rather not have that luck wash off on me.

Still… I can't help but resolve to stay alive and keep moving forward so that I can properly answer Syr's feelings for me one day. She deserves it for how she's helped me today.

Even if she's Freya.

… I'm still going to keep teasing her in the meantime. I know for a fact that she sure won't stop.

The Hostess Teasing War… has escalated

I snort to myself. Now that was the slice of life show in the Danmachi universe that everyone was missing out on.

I shock my head at my own amusing thoughts before heading back in to watching over Hestia for the rest of the night.

Author's Notes:

Bell intentionally goes to Monsterphilia to confirm or deny Freya's interest since he can't be certain without straight up walking up to Freya/Syr and asking. Needless to say, he's confirmed that 'yes she is watching/messing with him'. It is just one of those things that the protagonist is cautious in his approach.

The interaction between Loki and Freya originally didn't have any of Freya's inner thoughts. I've decided to personify her a bit here. Freya loves so deeply that things like common sense are only a secondary concern. So thoughts like 'don't send a Silverback after your love interest, that is quite rude' don't really click. All that matters is that the people she loves become closer to self-actualization… and it doesn't hurt to try and have them love her back at the same time.

Ais misses Bell's encounter since he faced the Silverback in battle earlier than before; Ais would still be facing those plant monsters with Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya. Ryuu is there instead as she runs for him as soon as she heard rumors about Monsterphilia - Bell's words coming to mind.

The ending scene with Syr wasn't originally in my outline for the chapter. I'll probably need to make minor changes to other chapters I've 'prewritten' now because of it. For whatever reason, I had decided against Syr confessing at first. But after reviewing this chapter, having added more Freya stuff, I figured I had to.

The reasoning I'm going with is that while Freya is savoring her current relationship with Bell, she couldn't help but push it a little further along. She also can tell that Bell has some growing feelings for Ryuu and is wanting to see how much he can make Ryuu's soul shine brighter. Basically, she knew he'd restrain himself if she tied him down, but couldn't help but admit her growing feelings. So she told him to not answer until his soul shines even brighter – i.e. when he is 'ready'. It also coincidentally helps make Bell look at her less like a teasing co-worker friend and more like a woman who happens to be his teasing co-worker and friend.

Word count was also originally ~5,000 and jumped up to ~7,000. Funny how that works.

Speaking of, what would be considered too high of a word count for a chapter in your opinion? If I don't break up the next chapter, it will be over 20,000 words lol

Next chapter, Bell works to find and save a certain Prum. Spoiler warning?