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

by Meetra 0 Surik

A fan with partial knowledge of the series is merged into Bell shortly after Zeus left him. With no perfect recall, armed with vague knowledge from the anime and other fanfics - Can our protagonist use their knowledge to save OG Bell's loved ones? Can he save the world from the OEBD? Or will he fail everyone and himself? The answer will tell if it is wrong to live as Bell Cranel!

8. Chapter 7: Info Gathering-Training-Quest

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

Chapter 7: Info Gathering, Training, and a Quest

"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."

Henry Ford

---

Logistics quickly became a source of disagreement. I wanted Lili to stay with Hestia at the Church rather than staying by herself in shady motels. Lili argued that she hadn't been in shady motels, she only implied that to scam me; she'd actually been staying with a gnome associate of hers that she trusted. Lili also didn't want to risk the Hestia Familia, because her being from a different Familia could result in political backlash; potentially a conflict with the Soma Familia. I said Soma could suck it, and doesn't he not give a shit anyway? But Lili was insistent on not wanting to risk it.

To be fair, Lili had a point, we were nowhere near ready to deal with Familia-wide conflicts.

So I tried bargaining. I figured we could work out an arrangement where Lili uses my room at the Hostess while I finally move in with Hestia at the Church. I'd still work at the Hostess for rights to my room, but we'd have Lili use it while I commute. Lili rejected that because of how unfair that would be for me.

Hestia, to my surprise, agreed with Lili. I think this was more a case of Hestia being embarrassed about the state of the Church. But I couldn't bring it up and say it was okay because that would just make everything worse. In the end, the most I could get from Lili was that she would stay at the Church once a week. I took it as a small victory and left it at that.

And with that out of the way, I went on my way over to the Guild as I usually do.

Eina was supposed to have more lesson plans on large monsters in the 10 to 12 Levels drawn up. But when I got there, she wasn't in her usual teller booth.

I was about to ask Misha where she was, before I noticed Eina over by the benches.

She was sitting with a young woman that looked a lot like Ais Wallen…stein…

Oh.

You know, in hindsight, I really shouldn't be surprised Ais is poking her head into my business. Most of my 'knowledge' on Ais' character and history come from the murky reliability that is fanfiction. But, on the assumption that the general consensus is true, then Ais is unhealthily obsessed with growing stronger. That she hates the Dragon so much that everything else is secondary. I think I remember hearing something about Ais even having a buff against monsters, she hates them so thoroughly that it's imprinted on her soul.

So when she found me passed out from Magic use so early in my career, she must have gotten curious. 'Was that boy hiding some technique for growing strong quickly? Or was it something else? How can he use magic already?' Are probably the thoughts that brought her to track me down through my advisor – who would have plenty of the publicly available information about myself that the Guild has on all legal adventurers.

Those thoughts certainly simmered what would have been a purely hormonal reaction into a more neutral one.

Liaris Freese, like Hiraishin, was just too dangerous to allow to get leaked – at least with how weak I was now. I might be a high Level 1, but that hardly meant anything. And without allies, it would just be me and Lili against the world.

Though I did have an idea for a Familia to grow deeper ties with… but that was for another time.

For the moment, I take a deep breath and approach near to where Eina and Ais are sitting. Not enough to immediately join their immediate space, but close enough to be spotted and show that I was 'waiting my turn' so to speak.

"Bell-kun!" Eina said as she saw me, waving me over. Between choosing to sit next to Eina or Ais, I choose my advisor.

"Good morning, Eina-san," I said with a sigh as I sat down, trying to keep my cool. Shoving my naive feelings for Ais down deep to instead think logically. "I hope I'm not interrupting?"

"Nonsense!" Eina assured me, "We were just talking about you."

"That's scary," I joke, "I don't know what I've done to get the Kenki's attention."

Eina gave a look to Ais, but seemed to notice how Ais hadn't reacted besides staring me down. So Eina then said, "Ais-san wanted to talk to you and return something, so she came to me for help. But now that you're here, I'll just leave you two to it."

"Uh, sure," I said to her as Eina got up and walked away to give us some privacy. I would have rather she'd stayed considering the likelihood of Ais' less than sincere intentions, but I would make do now that my guard was up.

My eyes snap back to Ais Wallenstein as she takes out something with a white cloth and removes the cloth to reveal the thing she's holding.

An emerald-green vambrace emerges. The Green Supporter!

I quickly connect the dots. So the mysterious adventurer who cleared a path for me during the incident with Lili was actually Ais, the one who protected me… was her.

The person who saved me from fighting those orca and thus made sure I could save Lili in time… the person ultimately responsible for allowing Lili to be saved that day… was Ais Wallenstein.

…Her returning my equipment confirmed in my mind that this is just a convenient excuse to formally seek me out. Being from another Familia, it would otherwise be suspicious. But returning gear to fallen comrades was commonplace and not considered unusual - it was even praised in a rare moment of cooperation between Familias; all Familias were at least connected by the Loss that the Dungeon gives to all who fall within it.

"...uh, here," Ais said simply as she offered the Green Supporter back to me.

"...Thank you," I said awkwardly as I accepted the hardware back. Ais' lack of social skills were quickly apparent. It almost made me forget to be cautious.

"I apologize," Ais then suddenly says to me.

"Huh…?" I say in confusion, her apology not making sense in the current context.

"It was my fault that that Minotaur wasn't slain, and caused you so much trouble and injury… I have been hoping for a chance to apologize since then. I am very sorry," Ais explained herself further. Which made her apology make some sense. But there was still a flaw in this logic.

"N-no, no! I was the one who chose to go into the Dungeon instead of farming or something! You've done nothing wrong, Wallenstein-sama! Actually, you're my savior! I'm the one who should be apologizing to you, I'm the idiot who almost burdened you with seeing my… Anyway! Sorry!"

Thinking of how I almost died, I couldn't find the ability to finish that sentence with 'death'. In any case, whatever Ais' ultimate intentions aside, I was too honest to let Ais hold on to her misconception that she was responsible for my fuck up with that Minotaur.

"Well, um, what I'm trying to say…"

I think my face is going to melt from how fast I'm racking my brain for the right words to express what I've wanted to express for a while now. My gratitude. Feelings and caution aside, I did at least owe Ais my thanks for what she had done for me.

I might be suspicious of Ais' intentions in seeking me out. But I still want to at least be thankful for what she has done for me thus far. Because at least in those instances there was no ulterior motive.

That and my emotions keep flip flopping all over the place with Ais right in front of me. I feel like I should be more concerned… Anyway, I finish by saying:

"For all the times you've rescued me… Thank you so much!" I bow as low as I can without face-planting into the street. I truly mean it. I'm sure that if I had died then, I would have devastated Hestia and the girls of the Hostess would be affected negatively to some degree.

I just wish… nevermind.

I finally worked up the courage to look up and straighten my back.

Ais Wallenstein is just calmly standing there, with the slightest hint of a smile on her lips. Apparently she liked something about my words.

Air escapes from my lungs again as a new wave of embarrassment shoots through my body. I'm not sure whether to like or hate the way she makes me feel. Bell, could you stop for five minutes?! Damn teenage hormones! I'm trying to maintain my cool here! What the hell is wrong with me?! (1)

"…"

"…"

Oh, right, Ais isn't much of a talker, and with my slight introversion I'm more used to others leading in idle conversations. It's about time to wrap up this encounter and get back on with our separate lives.

"...If that was everything, I suppose I should let you get to it. I'm sure you're a very busy person, Wallenstein-sama. Thank you again for retrieving this for me."

Ais Wallenstein frowned slightly, but more in confusion than anything else, "...Yes, I suppose so."

Deciding that lessons with Eina get to be postponed for her dropping this whole encounter on me, I walk out of the Guild Building with Ais.

As we reach the street, however, she suddenly speaks up again, "It's amazing that you made it to the 10th Floor so quickly."

"Eh? N-no not really. I know that my meager strength isn't much to write home about. I still have a long way to go. I'm still a novice with a blade and I've barely made any work towards my goal," I denied.

Ais' very presence was crushing. I could feel the power disparity like one can tell that it's humid outside. And while I've been getting daily training from Ryuu for a little over a month and a half, the experience gap is still large when considering multi-year veterans the likes of Ais, Ottar, and Ryuu.

One doesn't master a blade in such a short period of time. One could get decently proficient, sure, especially with how hard I've been training with Ryuu. But practice duels with Ryuu are still very different from actual life or death battles against other people. Fighting monsters and people are entirely separate things.

Even intelligent monsters typically just blindly attack with hostile instincts.

"There's no one to teach you how to fight?" Ais assumed, clearly knowing how small the Hestia Familia was.

"N-not exactly," I deny, "I've had the fortune of a high leveled, retired adventurer taking pity on and training me. It's just that I haven't been at it for two months yet. And I can't be sure if I'm really improving or just getting used to R– Sensei's style!"

I almost slipped out Ryuu's name there! Gotta keep her status as secret as possible!

"Then…" Ais began to say after a moment, "do you want me to train you?"

"Hmm?" I grunted in surprise. My eyes then open wide, "W-why… why would you offer something like that…?!"

I ask her not only to attempt to gage her intentions, but also to stall for time on how I should react.

By training with Ais, I would be able to get a second professional to have a look at my technique and style. But I would also potentially leak information to the Loki Familia. On the other hand, I'd also be able to learn more about Ais. Not just about herself to satisfy my growing feelings, but also to get first hand experience against her style of fighting.

After all, I know enough common sense in this world now to know that the cultural hatred of monsters goes back thousands of years. Thousands. Plural. Combined with Ais' likely hatred of the Dragon and monsters, then we will inevitably clash over the issue of the Xenos.

I wasn't sure how I was going to handle that bag of worms yet. But getting info to potentially use against Ais later wouldn't hurt.

"…Because you look like you want to get stronger, I think. I understand that feeling," Ais said, adding something about it being a way to pay me back for the trouble I went through.

From Ais' answer, I could deduce that she was just trying to satisfy her own curiosity. Training me would just also serve as 'payment' for her hidden duplicity. Not that I had the impression her intentions were malevolent. Just that she was trying to use me.

Well, I guess I'd already come up with reasons on how I could use her as well in this situation. Getting first hand experience against one of the city's strongest adventurers was too good of an opportunity to pass up on. Honestly, as long as I kept the existence of Liaris Freese hidden, then I would be the one who gained the most from this deal. So…

"I will learn everything you are willing to teach!" I answered.

"…Very well. I will do my best," Ais responded. And that was that.

---

That evening, at the Hostess, I explained the basics of the situation to Ryuu. I didn't bluntly say that a major reason for 'training' with Ais was to learn how she fights should I ever need to stand against her. I just essentially phrased it as learning a few tricks from her.

"...I hope you don't mind, Ryuu-san," I finished saying. Hoping that Ryuu didn't get offended that I was effectively ditching her for another instructor for a week.

"Not at all, Cranel-san," Ryuu told me as she dried the dishes next to me, "Training with the Kenki will be a good experience for you. One hard to come by. It is vital to learn from and clash with multiple experienced warriors in order to reach greater heights."

"Yes, Ryuu-sensei!" I acknowledged her wisdom readily. Only to get bonked on the head. "Ow!"

"I am Ryuu," Ryuu informed me, "None of this 'sensei' talk. I am hardly qualified."

"Why would you say that?" I ask, getting a little offended at how she just casually dismissed her own skill, "If not for your training, I'd be getting significantly more injured in the Dungeon. Heck, I'd probably have died if not for your guidance!"

I'm serious. Only by using combat techniques from Ryuu was I able to avoid some gnarly close calls in the Dungeon. My high Vitality was not from getting hit by monsters – to be more specific, I'd say about 85 - 95% of the Excelia in that field was from Ryuu herself.

If Ryuu had no healing spell, then she wouldn't have been able to train me for as much time as she had – because I would be unconscious from too much pain. I've lost track of how many times I've flown across the courtyard. But that's neither here nor there.

Ryuu looked like she ate a lemon, she was conflicted. The uniqueness of the expression coming from her caused my stomach to light up with butterflies, but I didn't let it distract me more than that.

I could tell that Ryuu wanted to say something, but couldn't say it. Something deep in me agreed that neither of us were ready for the conversation we stumbled into. So I gave Ryuu a diversion, "Do you mean that because you haven't been in the Dungeon much if at all since you retired? It makes sense, I suppose, but Ryuu is still my number one teacher! Okay?"

Ryuu seemed to relax with my words, her eyes twinkled with gratitude, "Yes, precisely. That is what I meant. Though you should be saving flattering words like 'number one' for Syr."

"...Eh?" I made a confused noise. I was not confused from Ryuu alluding to Syr's feelings. Rather it was from Ryuu saying something like that at that exact moment. But she didn't elaborate and simply focused on her work. I decided to leave things there and follow her lead.

I just hope Hestia never learned that I went to Ryuu for consent to train with Ais Wallenstein but not her. Ais Wallenstein is from the Loki Familia, and she's a little too emotional about the trickster goddess for my logical argument to mean much to her. Better to ask for forgiveness over permission in this case.

At least, I hope so.

---

The next morning I found myself atop the city's walls. I'm standing on the northwest edge. Looking back inside over the city, the view is absolutely breathtaking.

I can see the Pantheon, the Coliseum, buildings that are probably home to large Familias, and other tall structures all at once. Even from this distance, I can make out the minute details of the craftsmanship on each of them.

But of course, there's one that stands out above all the rest in the center of the city: Babel Tower. Its sheer presence is almost overwhelming. Add in the little houses filling the city blocks, and I know I will never get tired of standing here. Orario truly was a beautiful city to look at. Though like all cities, there were shadows hiding in its brilliance.

I had a bit of an altercation on my way here though…

---

About an Hour Ago…

I was running along a side road near North Main. Lighting was poor since the sun hadn't really risen and there weren't any streetlights on this particular road. Still, it was enough to where I could at least see where I was going. Not far, mind you because of the mist, but enough to see a few meters ahead.

It didn't mean, however, that I could expect to be run into as someone suddenly ran out of an alleyway.

For better or worse, the person who ran into me was more shocked than I was and had fallen on their butt.

I was surprised to even see someone awake at this hour, but despite that I didn't really pay much attention yet to the appearance of the figure – just that it was obviously a young woman.

"I'm s-so sorry!" the young woman apologized from her position on the floor.

Even though she ran into me, it was still the polite thing to help her up, so I offered my hand to her, saying, "Oh, no worries! Are you alright?"

In leaning down to get closer, I finally noticed the figure was in fact a female elf. Well aware of their customs, I faltered and almost drew my hand back. To my shock, however, she grabbed my hand without hesitation and let me pull her up off of the ground.

"Thank you. I'm so sorry about that," the young elf apologized again. At this point, I couldn't help but get a good look at the young woman.

She had long golden yellow hair and round dark blue eyes. She was wearing a rosette pink cape on top of a white shirt and pink corset dress. A purple bow hung at the collar.

My eyes widened in recognition. This girl was one of those who frequently is with the administrators of the Loki Familia. This is Lefiya Viridis, a Level 3 Mage, the Thousand Elf. I'd seen her multiple times at the Hostess, but the elf girl was too busy gushing over Ais to talk much with her waitress. My Belko disguise couldn't get much of anything out of the elf girl.

Lefiya's alias was given in reference to how she supposedly knows a thousand spells. Or so says the rumors. It is likely an exaggeration, but in a world where Magic is a rare skill, and magic slots are usually maxed at 3 – knowing more than that is quite the feat.

I wouldn't be surprised if she had some kind of skill that makes copying other people's magic or something. I think that's how her character was. She was barely seen in the main anime, but I do remember her being shown in various fanfics along with Filvis. And that she was one of the main characters of the side-series, but I hadn't watched it. So I know most about her from fanfics. She has some kind of skill that lets her 'summon' other peoples' magic. I believe that's how it is. (3)

"N-No, it was my fault," I said humbly. I should take at least some blame for running in the streets myself.

"Oh, right!" Lefiya exclaimed before asking, "Have you seen the Kenki, Ais Wallenstein, pass by?"

I gulped. Unsanctioned training between adventurers from different Familias was Taboo to put it lightly. It was the whole reason we were going out and doing our training at such an early hour and at such a relatively remote location. I couldn't let her know what I was up to!

"I-I'm afraid not!" I said, trying to come up with something natural without explicitly lying, "I haven't seen Ais– Ais-sama at all today!"

Damn it, me! Why'd you choose now to trip over what suffix to use with her? I totally sound off! I blame waking up earlier than normal, I'm clearly off my game right now.

Lefiya narrowed her eyes at me, "...Doesn't that imply you've seen Ais-san before today?"

"That's certainly one way to interpret it!" I said with a nervous laugh. I was trying to imply that I only meant what I had said – that I hadn't seen her at all today, that anything before today was irrelevant.

Lefiya's eyes narrowed further, "Suspicious… why would Ais-san associate with someone like you?"

I flinched. Ouch. That hurt. That right there, that was some unnecessary emotional damage. Was it necessary to call me a weakling nobody that didn't even have the right to clean Ais Wallenstein's shoes?

That's not what she said, but that might as well be what I heard.

You are so getting some scentless alcohol in your drink next time you eat at the Hostess!

…Nah, I won't actually do that. But I'm tempted.

At this point, it was clear that even if I did come up with a lie to try to fool Lefiya, she wouldn't believe it. And since I was personally against lying in the first place (omissions… don't count!) there was only one option remaining…

"I'm sorry!" I apologized as I bolted away, trusting in my rabbit-like agility to outrun the higher leveled Adventurer. If memory serves, all of her stat points are probably in Magic anyway – there's no way she can keep up… probably.

The amount of 'probablys' in my thoughts are disturbing…

There was a moment or two where the only sound was the sound of my footsteps repeatedly hitting stone. And then a feminine roar of, "Hold it!"

I took a single glance at my pursuer before ducking and weaving through the many alleyways in an effort to lose the girl. It wouldn't do to lead her right to where I was going by running straight to my destination after all.

After a few minutes, while hiding behind a barrel, I watched as Lefiya ran in the opposite direction to where I was going. Lefiya was running in the direction of Babel Tower, which would have normally been a good guess, I imagine. However…

"Not this time," I said, a little smugly. Not that it was anything personal, honest it wasn't. But I couldn't help but feel a little better about outsmarting a Level 3 Elf.

With that out of the way, I focused and headed towards my goal for today…

---

"Are you prepared?" Ais Wallenstein asked me, breaking me out of my reverie.

"Ah, y-yes!" I stuttered, giving her my attention.

"Sorry to make you come all the way out here…" Ais said regretfully. Or I think she was, her tone didn't really change much.

"Don't worry! It's not a problem!" I assure her, trying to stay casual. Hoping that ignoring my hormones will get them to eventually shut up.

Being a member of Loki Familia, this is something she isn't supposed to do. If another member of her Familia finds out that she's training a member of a different group in combat techniques, there will be major problems for sure.

That's why we've come all the way to the top of the wall — to stay out of sight.

Thinking about it from her position, staying hidden and only meeting occasionally is the only option.

"Well, Wallenstein-sama, what should I–"

"Ais," said girl interrupted me.

"Huh?"

"Call me Ais," she elaborated simply.

The second I realize she's telling me how to address her, I nearly fall over backward. I keep on forgetting that her communication skills are pretty underdeveloped to put it nicely.

"Everyone calls me that. Does it make you uncomfortable?" Ais said naively.

"Uh… No, I'm comfortable with that," I assured her, lying as easily as I breathed. I had a feeling like I understood Lili a little better now.

"…A-Ais, how would you like to start?" I asked after a period of silence.

"…A good question," Ais replied, not answering the question at all.

"Eh?"

Ais' eyebrows fall as she puts a hand to her delicate chin. She looks like she's trying to squeeze an idea out of her brain, "I've been thinking very hard… since yesterday."

…Maybe this is a good thing, the more I see Ais being an airhead the sooner I can get over this silly crush?

"…Can you show me your form?" Ais then asked me.

"Yeah, sure," I say, before taking my usual stance and fighting against some invisible foes.

After watching for a little, Ais then asked, "Do you only use your knife?"

"Mmm?" I grunted as I finished my latest move, silently asking for elaboration.

"The knife wielders I know use kicks and martial arts to fight," she then said.

"A little," I tell her, "I had a little practice with a defensive-focused martial art back… home."

Which was true, from a certain point of view. The long and short of it was that I was familiar with at least one martial style, and while it used both fist and foot it was primarily a defensive style. Most of the stable stances all but required you to go back to your starting position, for example.

Long story short, I knew how to throw some decent punches, kicks, and blocks… against human attackers. I wasn't quite up to kicking around monsters like Bete could.

"I see," Ais said, then she asked, "May I see your weapon?"

"Sure," I said, passing my spare, easily disposable knife over to her.

She strikes a pose; I guess she's going to show me an example? "…Like this," she says.

She's holding the dagger backward in her right hand, the blade coming out from behind her pinkie, and her left knee is forward, foot hovering just above the ground.

With her knee in midair, Ais tilts her head to the side. She puts her leg back down, and lifts it up one more time… again tilting her head to the side.

"…?" She seems deep in thought.

"…" Ais is an airhead. Suddenly being casual with her isn't so difficult.

Ais lifts and lowers her knee over and over, and each time she tilts her head.

At this point, I can't hide my sweat or my confusion. It feels really awkward, watching her like this. But she's giving me an example to follow. I should watch as closely as I can.

Does she just… not have a clue…?

"Hm—" Ais' eyes changed, like she had a realization.

Ais' body suddenly blurred. I realized she was already attacking, and that it was already too late to dodge.

"—Huh?"

Using her right leg to jump into the air with a smack, her whole body spins.

Completely ignoring the stunned sounds coming out of my mouth, she extends her left leg, tracing an arc around her in the air.

Her miniskirt flutters; dark blue leggings up to her knees flash before my eyes.

The instant her pale-white inner thigh flashes in front of my eyes — I'm launched skyward.

"Ah—" I painfully gasp out, all my efforts to dodge her speed were equivalent to doing nothing. It was just that fast.

A high-speed spinning jump kick. Right… to… my–

…

…

…

"Face!" I scream as I jolt back into consciousness. I can tell only a few moments had passed since I was knocked out. Ryuu had knocked me unconscious so many times that it was an unseen skill of mine now - maybe this is another byproduct of Liaris Freese?

"Sorry…" Ais said with a sad look in her eyes, her face barely changing.

I easily laugh it off though, having long since gotten used to it… though the pain in my cheekbone wasn't that enjoyable.

I slowly get back to my feet, and Ais mirrors me.

"...Perhaps a duel would work best, after all," Ais declared, drawing her weapon out of its sheath before setting the weapon against the wall. Meanwhile I bolted to my feet, drawing my normal spare dagger. I wouldn't have put it past Ais to immediately start attacking so I quickly got into a ready stance.

…Wait, when did I get my knife back? Did she reholster it while I was unconscious? Why, though? Whatever, now I could finally start getting a read on her fighting style.

"That's right," Ais praised as she raised her scabbard like a blade, "The way you responded. In battle, take in everything around you. If you do, you'll learn to fight whether you want to or not."

She took two steps towards me as she spoke. I slid backwards, keeping my stance stable. A tiny part of me is a little insulted that she's only using a scabbard to my actual knife. But the vast majority of my brain is painfully aware that I am nowhere near being capable of dealing any lasting damage to her.

The air between us is heating up; I could have sworn sparks were flying. The 'morning' sky is still a dull black; the sun has yet to peek over the horizon. Yet all she had done was take two steps.

Ais doesn't even twitch. Neither do I. Although in my case, I couldn't move even if I tried. Visions of her advance assault me. It's a near-certainty that once she takes the first step, I'll meet a strike that far exceeds my own speed and attack range.

The dagger in my sweaty palms has never felt so utterly useless.

"…You're afraid," she declares

"?!" I felt like I just got shot. Her words pierced right through my barriers. Shot… Why was that word giving me a headache?

"I think it's important for a solo adventurer to be afraid. But there is something else that you are afraid of. Something deeper," Ais said, her words sharp enough to pierce armor effortlessly.

Those words are the one thing I didn't want to hear, from the exact person I didn't want to hear them from.

With the same look of seriousness on her face, Ais takes a step forward, "I don't know what you are so afraid of… but at this rate, when you face it, you'll only be able to run away."

Rage. I knew better than to get mad. But her words infuriated me. Whether she meant it or not, I had been completely baited into attacking. Because she couldn't be right. She couldn't! I wouldn't let it! It's not true! It can't be!

I barely lunged forward before she batted my hand away.

"Don't lose focus," she said before vanishing. Her next words coming from behind me, "Don't give your opponent your blind spots."

"!" this was the speed of a Level 5!?

I swerved to face her. I ignored the pain from her strike. Nothing mattered except proving her wrong!

"Keep an eye on your surroundings," Ais lectured, a perfect forward thrust into my chestplate - meeting me right as I finished turning to face her.

I pounced forward, stabbing for her head. But Ais simply moved her head to dodge without any effort.

It went like this for a few more strikes. I aggressively attacked only to be effortlessly stopped by a strike to a weak point. My wrist, a gap in armor on my leg, my ankle.

I fell to a knee, panting in pain. It was like getting hit with a steel beam over and over again. But I had to get up and fight! She was wrong!

But even now she doesn't let up, a strike across my face sends me flying onto my back. All the air in my lungs left me.

"Can you stand?" There's no pity in her voice. Somehow I manage to roll my body to the side and get up without choking.

"Being solo in the Dungeon means you can't leave any opening, ever. Keep your eyes open and sharp."

My head, however, is still empty. Her innocent words pushed something in me I had been dreading for a while now. Now I had to do whatever it took to prove my resolve was not naive arrogance!

"!"

"Better."

"Hnff?!"

I thought I'd dodged that one, but she changed course.

This time she takes my knee out from under me. Next thing I know, I'm practically kissing the floor, my face burning red.

"Can you stand?" Those cold words again. I can feel blood trickling out of my nose as I once again climb to my feet.

"Just try to follow my attacks for now. Learn to read your opponent."

"Tch—?!" The pain is starting to knock the anger right out of me. Or I've looped back around to being calm again. No, I'm still angry, I'm just no longer consumed in a blind rage.

"Like that."

"Buh?!"

An upward swing, and then another side sweep.

But my dagger is always a step behind. Well, it gets to the right place, but her sheath just speeds on by, on its way to nail me again. Pretty sure I spun around in midair at least once that time.

"Can you stand?" Her magic words. I'm up again. Intentional or not, those words refuse to let me give up. Deep down, I know she's right about me, but I can't allow it to be. I keep on fighting.

"…You're not good at blocking, are you?" Ais said innocently, though it certainly felt like mockery.

"—?!" I logically knew it wasn't meant to be mockery, but it still lit something up within me.

Hit, hit, hit.

An absolute flurry of I don't know how many flashes. There's no way out! I can feel small explosions erupting all over my body as her sheath connects over and over again.

Slam! I fall to my knees, the impact echoing around me as the dust clears.

I can't stand. It's a miracle I didn't face-plant on the stone floor again.

I can hear my ragged breathing again, weak and pathetic…

"We top-class adventurers often say that many adventurers are pulled around by their own status."

"..." I'm too tired and beat up to even speak, but I can listen.

"Everyone depends too much on their blessing. Ability and technique are different things," She's looking down on me. It sounds like a lecture. It's painful, but I force my eyes open and look back up at her.

She speaks slowly, as she's trying to give me information she'd learned herself.

"Technique and strategy. You lacked both."

"…!" She was right. I was aware of myself at this point to notice I gave into my emotions and attacked blindly. All that training I did with and I instantly abandoned it after a few words. I felt the urge to apologize to Ryuu for wasting her time on an idiot…

"These things will stay with you, even if you lose your status. Such things… are all I can teach you," She breaks eye contact with me for a moment, before looking back at me even more intensely than before.

"You have difficulty defending, so we'll focus on that. The goal of this training is for you to read my attacks, and defend. This way might be painful for you, but it will stay with you, I think. And I think… you will get closer to your goal."

She says all of this at once, looking straight into my shocked eyes. Her golden eyes shine with sincerity as they peer into mine.

Could she… have really just wanted to help me? Or maybe her curiosity and concern were just in equal measure? Either way, I can't help but feel guilty for my own less than honest intentions.

I try to make some kind of response — or any kind of sound — but nothing comes out. Ais takes a step back and stands there, as if she's waiting for me to get up.

"Can you still stand?"

"…Thank you!"

She stared directly at my weakness, and accepted me. I have to say something. This time spent training with her may be short, but I can't waste a second of it. Using every fiber of my being, I force my kneeling body back up onto my feet.

…to then get a scabbard to the top of my head. That one knocked me out for a few minutes.

Training continued for just shy of two hours later. We proceeded to go our separate ways for the day – though I swear I heard the sound of a girl crying in shock and disbelief. Though considering how high up I was, it was probably just the wind. (2)

---

"Bell-sama," Lili asked me later that day, "Why do you look even more beat up than usual before we've even gone into the Dungeon?"

I smile painfully, "My temporary sparring partner doesn't have a healing spell like the first. Let's leave it at that."

Lili looked at me oddly, "...Bell-sama is a masochist."

"AM NOT!" I denied.

Seriously? What is with these people? My intentions are pure!

I spent the rest of the Dungeon diving working on incorporating martial arts into my mobile fighting style. The multitude of Imps on Floor 10 gave me plenty of free punching bags.

Even when ganged up on by multiple Orcs and Imps, I only used Firebolt as a last resort. Swordplay would be the skill that would make or break any encounter with someone a higher Level than me. That was one of many things Ryuu and Ais' training helped teach me.

---

"T-today was rough…" I said to myself as I wobbly walked down West Main towards Babel.

Ais has been teaching me how to fight for the past three days. We are still training in the darkness before sunrise, which means my body is beaten to a pulp before going into the Dungeon.

This is all so I can get stronger. So that I can catch up to them. So I will be prepared when our swords will likely clash in the future. Because Ais Wallenstein is an Adventurer 1st and a Heroine 2nd. Her opposition to the Xenos was something that even I couldn't forget.

Even if I'm guilty for having ulterior motives for my training with Ais, I can't deny the necessity of them. I comfort myself with the fact that we are both just using the other for our own selfish intentions – it helps.

I keep telling myself these things over and over and ignore my aching joints as I make my way to the spot where Lili is waiting for me.

"Bell-kun…Be-ll-kuun…" A monotone, almost lazy voice reaches my ears.

I come to a stop when I realize it's calling my name. I scan the crowd for a moment and find the owner of the voice right away.

It's the one, the only, Naaza of Miach Familia.

She's slowly waving at me from between two buildings that mark the entrance to one of the backstreets. As usual, her clothing is quite strange. Her shirtsleeves are two different lengths, the left sleeve ending just above her elbow, but her right sleeve goes all the way down to her wrist. Her right hand is covered by a glove. Looking farther down, I can see her thick, bushy tail sticking out from underneath a long skirt. I watch it sway from side to side for a moment before looking up at her half-open eyes. She motions for me to come to her.

I quietly nod and look both ways to make sure the coast is clear before making my way through the bustling crowd toward her.

"Um, good morning. What are you doing out here — is something wrong?" I ask her. This is the first time I've seen her out and about in this area in the morning. In fact, Naaza tried to move as little as possible. When she had, I noticed that her walk was unbalanced and unsteady, like she had a limp.

"Yes, a little something…" She replied, "I was waiting for you, Bell. I thought if I was here, you would pass by…"

I always travel down West Main whenever I go to the Dungeon after leaving home. Just a simple fact of geography. Naaza, who saw me regularly, would easily know I live that way and waited here looking for me. Naaza is a friend, so it's not weird for her to have predicted me like this.

As for the reason why… She pulls a rolled-up piece of paper from her pocket and hands it to me. "A quest," she says, "Was wondering if you'd be willing to take it up…"

"A quest, huh?" I said, marveling at the sense of comfort it gives my former gamer self. But seriously, I wasn't too surprised for Naaza to ask for my help with something; I was one of her few customers and associates. I considered her a friend - just not one I would trust with my wallet.

"Yep, there's even a reward… Could you bring me what's written on the memo?" Naaza asked.

"Shouldn't be a problem," I tell her, glancing at the memo. A request to gather Blue Papillon Wings. They're a 'rare' monster to spawn, but I figure that I'll either get lucky or Lili will know a trick for hunting them down. So basically I hoped I'd be lucky.

"Really? There is no time limit, but the earlier the better… Thanks a bunch."

Showing more energy than she had up until now, Naaza waves a few times before turning around and going down the backstreet. I blink a few times as I watch her go back toward Miach Familia's home.

Looks like I'm an independent contractor now. Such is the life of an adventurer.

---

Lili was glad to regale me on the specifics on the Quest system. Basically it boiled down to cutting the Guild out as a middleman for trading of items and materials within Orario between the Familias. As such, while the rewards tended to be greater (because if it wasn't, then why not just sell to the Guild) it also opened up the possibility of getting scammed.

Lili took my word for the moment that the Quest giver was legit, but the look she gave me told me that she was just humoring me. To be fair, she was right, as I had been aware for some time now that Naaza was shorting me on potion efficacy.

You see, working at a pub was a great source of information gathering; especially when you are perceived as a young, rabbit-like girl. I was able to learn from patrons that the Miach Familia lost all of its members after gathering a lot of debt. A drunk Miach had also confirmed to 'Belko' that he spent a lot of money in order to save one of his children.

Given how Naaza stayed despite the debt, wears a lot of clothing like she's trying to hide scars and her entire right arm and hand, and has difficulty walking… It was simple to put the pieces together. Naaza had been crippled in the Dungeon, lost an arm, and Miach-sama put himself in debt to fix her up. With the rest of the Familia abandoning them, they fell into poverty.

While my immediate finances weren't nearly as bad, the debt of the Hestia Knife was hanging over our shoulders with only Hephaestus' good grace not sending the Hestia Familia into similarly dire straits. So a lot of the money being 'saved' was really just being reserved for that debt and any emergency expenses.

It made gathering funds to order more equipment from Welf difficult. While the baselard Lili got me is good, I'd like to be able to upgrade to a more personally crafted weapon with a longer reach than my Hestia Knife. And it didn't hurt to have back-up weapons in storage in case of severe damage.

Not that I knew where Welf was or how to get into contact with him. I asked Hestia to keep an eye out for him, but not so far as to bug Hephaestus personally. Hestia put some feelers out for Welf but had no luck thus far. Still, it would be awkward to have tracked Welf down but not have the funds to commission the desired equipment.

Back on track, I didn't mind Naaza scamming me a little if it gave them something resembling a stable source of income. Their financial situation was much worse than mine. I could just go into the Dungeon for guaranteed profit, while the Blue Pharmacy had to compete on the open Orario market with big players like Dian Cecht Familia.

A small, cold, logical part of my brain also knew that such charity would help pull the Micah Familia and their potion business into an alliance with me and Hestia. Having good relations with a potion supplier would only be beneficial.

If I had a chemistry background, I might have been able to share some mind blowing knowledge that might give them an edge in the potions market… but chemistry was one of the science classes I wasn't a fan of to put it lightly. All that studying on computers was doing me no good here.

The only relatively useful chemistry I knew was how to make gunpowder… don't think too hard about that, okay? I just really liked Dr. Stone.

Back to the matter at hand, Lili did in fact have a plan for finding a bunch of Blue Papillons - It's a butterfly monster that is said to appear on the 7th Floor.

Its light blue wings are so thin that light can pass through them. Tiny scales fall off of them as it flies, leaving a beautiful sparkling trail in its wake. I've heard it's so beautiful that even the most hardened adventurers will stop to admire it.

Lili's idea to find a bunch of them? A Dungeon Pantry.

After fighting an hour or so down a large tunnel on the edge of the 7th Floor I hadn't been down, we found it.

The pale green walls, the lights in the ceiling, the path under my feet — everything is starting to get uneven. The farther I walk, the less my surroundings look like the Dungeon I know. I'm reminded of naturally formed caves with uneven walls, flooring, and small openings in the walls.

Suddenly, the luminescent spots on the ceiling start to go dim. There's a soft greenish glow coming from around the rocky corner ahead.

I stop for a moment and turn to face Lili. She doesn't say anything, instead giving me a silent nod. I take a deep breath, face forward, and turn the corner.

I follow the glow through a few more turns in the cave, only the sound of our footsteps in the air. The source of the glow is waiting for us at the end of the path.

I was a little shocked at the sight, not gonna lie.

This is a very, very big area. I've never seen a space this big, even in the levels farther down in the Dungeon. My eyes instantly lock onto a towering pillar of quartz in the back of the room.

The massive column of powdery green rock stretches from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. The whole thing is jutting out of the back wall. But the surface isn't smooth, bits and pieces stick out like tree bark. This whole thing might as well be a tree made of quartz.

The entire structure is emanating a green light. So this is where that green glow was coming from…

A clear white sap drips out from between the breaks in the rock, enough to make a large pool at the base of the "tree."

I can see Killer Ants and Purple Moths dotting the surface of the tree and a Needle Rabbit dipping its tongue into the pool. They're all drinking the sap.

"This is a pantry… a place where the Dungeon stores food for the monsters to eat," clearly enjoying the awed look on my face, Lili strikes up a conversation and quietly explains what's going on.

Monsters born from the Dungeon walls are alive, so it makes sense they would get hungry. While they can feast on stray adventurers or other monsters, it looks like most of them get their subsistence from their "mother," the Dungeon itself.

This wide area is a source of nutrients for the monsters. I can see why it's called the "Dungeon's Pantry."

"…and the Blue Papillon also…" I uttered, realizing the strategy.

"Yep. Rather than bumbling around in the Dungeon for who knows how long, Lili thinks our chances of finding one are better if we wait here."

I give Lili a headpatt, "Lili is a genius."

She squealed at my touch and I remembered that she is effectively a clienthrope right now and thus her ears are sensitive.

She's in disguise in an effort to convince her Familia that she is dead. A temporary solution, but all we have at the moment.

I'm too… weak to…

"S-sorry about that," I apologize. Trying to ignore the negative thoughts plaguing me.

Lili just pouted. Then huffed and said, "Don't just stand there, Bell-sama. We need to hide ourselves. Lili doesn't want to think about what will happen if the monsters see us."

"Ah… Yes, let's do that."

I can feel her hands on my lower back as Lili pushes me out of the entrance and off toward one of the sides.

Taking another look around the room, there are many entrances to the pantry. Even now, monsters are streaming in from ten, no, twelve other places. If even one of them realizes we're here, we'll have to fight every monster in the room to make an escape.

Even with my current strength, those odds…

A cold lump forms in the pit of my chest. Ais Wallenstein wouldn't have a problem here. I again try to push the negative thoughts aside.

We make our way into a corner of the room.

"Well, then, excuse me." Lili sets her backpack down and withdraws a large piece of cloth from it. The whole thing is a mossy green color and matches the dungeon walls on this floor almost exactly. Then again, the lighting isn't that great, so it could be a coincidence.

Lili whips the fabric around through the air like a massive cape and wraps the two of us from head to toe in a green cocoon.

I was a little skeptical, "Are you certain?"

"None of the monsters on the 7th Floor have a good sense of smell, so as long as we're quiet and stay out of sight, Bell-sama and Lili will be fine," she assured me. And she certainly was an expert on these floors, so it was easy to believe that. And it wasn't like ants and moths were well known for good scent-based senses or anything.

She apparently bought this at the item shop inside Babel Tower right before we entered the Dungeon. I had no clue what she was doing… This is what she had in mind.

And our camouflage seems to be working. None of the monsters has noticed us; even the ones that look in our direction think we're just part of the dungeon wall and go back to their meal.

"...aren't you a bit close, Lili?" I asked her after a few moments, she was all but cuddling me right now.

"Lili has no choice. Lili has to hide the backpack, too, and this cloth can only hide so much. Oh, it's still sticking out! Lili has to get closer!"

She slides her small body up completely against mine, making me flinch in surprise. Lili did seem to be a fan of teasing me - my cheeks were just too damn expressive - but I didn't think she'd dare try while in the Dungeon!

Lili slips under my right shoulder and wraps her arms around my chest, as if she were giving her body to me, and squeezes. A soft pressure brushes against my ribs through my inner shirt. My face feels like it's on fire.

It didn't help matters that my hand instinctively supported her by wrapping around her hip. Let's just say my forearm had a front-row seat to Lili's surprisingly large glutes.

Lili started to shiver as I held her. Was she… pushing herself? I couldn't help but think that.

While the Dungeon could be a little chilly, the amount of clothes we had combined with the physical exercise did plenty to keep us warm. And with us so close, we were sharing body heat. All this to say that Lili was definitely NOT cold.

The only reason I could think of for Lili's behavior was that it was a byproduct of abuse that the anime just didn't really pay any light to or something to similar effect. I resolved to be more careful about physical contact and affection in the future.

If my assumption was correct, however, this was likely a sign Lili was trying to overcome her demons, which I could respect and admire.

Lili is trying to overcome…

I push aside thoughts of my own weakness.

…So to save her some dignity, I don't inquire about her shivering.

The two of us talk in hushed voices as we twist and turn to find a comfortable position. One that conveniently still relies on my arm to support her and her comically large bag. I may have resolved to be careful with touching Lili, but it could hardly be applied at the current moment.

"…H-hey, I have a question. You know how there are items that can draw in monsters, right? If there's a place like this where they can eat as much as they want, why do those items work…?" I strike up a conversation to get my mind off of her body fitting snugly up against mine.

"Isn't it boring to eat the same food all the time, Bell-sama?" Lili asked back.

"Ahh…" I conceded the point.

"Fu-fu, that's why. Monsters like a little variety, too."

"Who chuckles like that these days?" I tease her. She slaps my shoulder with a huff in retaliation.

I keep becoming a little bit more knowledgeable every time I ask Lili about something that doesn't make sense. So I keep the questions coming. The anime didn't really cover such mundane but useful information. A lot of it seemed obvious in hindsight.

First, I ask her why adventurers completely ignored this really good hunting spot. She explains that this place is too far out of the main path. In fact, every single (known) Dungeon Pantry is so far removed from the usual route that it will take hours to get to one of them. Even if you manage to find one — and are strong enough to survive fighting everything in here at once — it's more efficient to collect the magic stones that are worth more from monsters farther down the Floors.

Going out of your way for rare drops is basically not worth the time or risk - is the general consensus.

But the most important reason is that if you make even one mistake, the danger of being overwhelmed by sheer numbers is very real. These are the reasons why most adventurers try to avoid turning these places into their battlefield. Very reasonable.

…It could also be that they don't want to ruin such a beautiful place.

At least that's how I feel, looking out across this tranquil scenery from under our camouflaged cloth. I've always had a fondness for the outdoors, and places like this in the Dungeon stoked that same feeling

A wide cavern bathed in soft green light. The clear crystals emerging from the tree are absolutely breathtaking. Light reflects off the pond beneath it like the moon off a still lake at night. The pond's surface glistens in silence.

White flowers with blue stems are blooming in bunches all around the lake. Every so often a needle rabbit pokes its head out from between them. Purple moths fly through the flowers and land on the crystals above, resting their wings. Soft splashes fill the air as a small group of killer ants makes their way through the pond toward the quartz tree on the back wall.

The green light makes everything look calm, almost gentle.

It's hard to believe that monsters that should be violent and horrifying can look this beautiful. It is a humble reminder that life is a precious gift - I feel immensely glad to have this second chance. It is also a reminder that the Xenos, those conscious beings born of monsters, also have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Of course, I fully realize that these beasts before me are the enemy of humanity. These things before me are just mindless creatures. They're extremely dangerous and will attack if I try to confront them.

Even still, I don't want to do anything to disturb this awe-inspiring scenery. Looking across the cavern, taking in the light, the monsters, everything, I can't help but feel this way.

"…Bell-sama!" Lili spotted something and grabbed my attention.

"!" I saw it too. Over by the pond at the base of the tree. Butterflies with blue wings fluttering gracefully among the flowers. A group of four Blue Papillon, the target of our quest, has appeared in the pantry.

"It was worth coming all the way down here," I said gratefully. Both for the loot and the beautiful sight.

"Y-yes," Lili agreed, though I think she cared more for the loot than anything else.

We get up in unison, preparing to leave at any moment.

The butterflies' elegance and refinement match the cavern perfectly. Each one of their bodies is much more delicate than a Purple Moth's, their two sets of wings flowing like water. The light blue trails they leave behind are pretty enough to make my heart skip a beat.

While the Blue Papillon poses no threat in combat, the scales that flake off their wings heal the injured monsters around them. The reason that Naaza wants Blue Papillon drop items is because they would make an excellent ingredient for healing potions. Of that I'm sure. I know this much from my lessons with Eina, of course.

"We mustn't make a scene in here. Let's watch them and follow them out of the pantry," Lili tells me.

"Okay, got it," I reply, her words could have gone without saying. Fighting in the pantry is a death sentence right now.

My mind back in questing mode, Lili and I wait with bated breath for a chance to spring our trap.

---

An hour or so later, Lili and I emerge from the base of Babel Tower with big smiles on our faces.

"That went very well."

"Yes, to get this many drop items at once is very lucky," Lili looks up at me with a happy grin on her lips. Our plan worked without a hitch. Follow the group of Blue Papillon, take them down, collect the drop items, go back to the pantry, get fondled, repeat, and return to the surface. Easy peasy.

Just as Lili said, all of the Blue Papillon left behind drop items. We couldn't be happier that we finished this quest so quickly.

Five wings altogether… I have no doubt that Naaza will be more than happy with this haul.

"If Bell-sama took these to the Guild, they're worth at least 9,000 valis. The fact they're in good shape might make them worth even more… Too bad we're going to trade them~." Lili lamented dramatically and sarcastically.

It sounds like Lili's only excited because these drop items are from a rare monster. I force a smile at my unusually high-spirited partner as we make our way through Central Park and toward West Main.

That was just what I needed to cheer me up… That amazing scenery put my mind at ease. I wasn't planning on taking a break from grinding all day, but I'm glad I did. Sure, I still ache all over, but it feels good. I've got a little pep back in my step.

Something about training with Ais was stressing me out… No, I know what the problem was, I'm just trying to ignore it… my…

"Good afternoon! Anyone here?" I push my thoughts aside and speak up as we enter the Miach Familia's home and shop in the backstreets.

"…Bell-kun?" Naaza watches us come through the door from her chair behind the counter, her drowsy eyes opening just enough for me to notice.

"Don't tell me, you've already finished the quest…?" she then asked.

"Yes. We've dropped by to finish up," I replied. I then take a box roughly the size of a shield out from under my arm and open it to show her the contents.

A rare, energetic expression runs across her face the moment that Naaza sees the beautiful blue hue of the Blue Papillon Wings. A smile is on her face in the blink of an eye.

The fluffy dog tail beneath her long skirt is happily swishing back and forth, so much so that I couldn't help but notice it. "Thank you, Bell-kun… You're good; I never knew how good," she then thanked and praised me.

"N-no I still have so far to go…" I denied her praise. Being in all likelihood the strongest Level 1 in Orario (Stat-wise) wasn't actually a big accomplishment. I was still too…

"I always believed you could do it if you tried, Bell…" Naaza continued to butter me up.

I flinch, but my cheeks still catch on fire, as Naaza gives me compliment after compliment. She steps up to me and pats my head, almost like a reflex. I'm not sure how to feel about it.

"Sorry to interrupt your moment, but shall we trade the goods for the reward?" Lili spoke up. She hadn't said a word since we came into the shop, but she steps in to speed up the process.

Naaza freezes and looks down at her before forming a very innocent smile on her lips.

The two of them have never met before. Naaza must have deduced that Lili was a member of my party because she nods and says, "…Of course," before making her way behind the back counter.

"Bell-sama, now is not the time to get sloppy," Lili chided me playfully.

"S-sorry, my mind has been elsewhere lately…" I apologize.

"Remember this well, Bell-sama. The quest isn't over until you have the reward in your hands."

"…Huh?" That was certainly one way to phrase it, I suppose. Lili didn't even look at me when she was talking, just kept smiling in Naaza's direction. I recognized it. Lili's smile was fake. Lili did mention that she still hates adventurers - and that I was an exception. I just hope she doesn't do something to embarrass Naaza and thus me.

Naaza chooses then to return with a wooden case in her hands, "Here's your reward: two dozen potions."

"T-two dozen?!" I sputter at the quantity and size of the container of potions. I normally only buy Miach's cheapest 500 valis potions as I need them - keeping two to three on me at a time. Lili would have more potions in her bag, but certainly not over a dozen for the kinds of dives we do at the moment.

The amount of potions you can bring along is limited due to the size of the vials and the weight. Water and liquids tend to be the heaviest things one brings along whether it be in the Dungeon or a more mundane hiking trip.

The main point I deviated from is that this is the equivalent of a 12,000 valis reward for items worth 3,000 less in total.

There is something inherently satisfying as I look at my first-ever reward from a real-live 'quest'. I'm about to hand the box containing the Blue Papillon Wings over to her, when suddenly a small hand comes out of nowhere and grabs hold of my wrist.

"Lili…?" I stopped, surprised at her sudden movement.

"Please wait a moment, Bell-sama," Lili demanded. Keeping her gaze locked squarely on Naaza, Lili swiftly reached out toward the box of potions.

She withdrew one of the vials full of blue liquid in the blink of an eye and said, "Hope you don't mind. Lili will pay you back later."

My eyes widen as I realize what she's about to do. "Lili!"

Without waiting for permission, Lili flips open the top of the vial and brings it up to her nose.

A few quick whiffs, and she stares at the color of the liquid. A surprisingly flustered Naaza looks on as Lili pours a drop of the liquid onto her hand and takes a lick.

Lili chuckles balefully, "Fu-fu, is this potion worth 500 valis? What a lovely business you're running, enough to make Lili jealous."

Lili sounds absolutely terrifying while wearing the face of an innocent child.

"..." Naaza is silent. Her expression barely changes, but I have the feeling she is mortified. I know I am.

"This potion, it's been watered down quite a bit, hasn't it? It's less than half as potent as it should be. There're extra ingredients mixed in to give it the right color and sweetness. Yes, this is a common scam," Lili breaks down Naaza's operation brutally. Well, at least I know the specifics on how Naaza was running her operation, but such knowledge is bittersweet.

Naaza and I stand in silence as Lili drives her point home with that same innocent smile plastered on her face.

"These potions might be worth 200 valis. It seems you've been drastically overcharged, Bell-sama. Of course, this reward is nooooooowhere close to the value of the drop items."

I can practically see the blood draining from Naaza's face. Even with her eyes half closed, sweat is pouring down her cheeks. The tail that was happily swaying back and forth before is now bent at a very awkward angle.

"So, how do you propose we fix this?" Lili narrows her eyes and smiles like a little devil as she takes one step toward Naaza.

"Lili." I said softly and quietly yet with authority, slowly putting a hand on her shoulder.

Lili stops, and looks at me for a moment in confusion. Her expression soon turns to a mixture of disbelief and exasperation, "...You knew?" Lili left the words 'too' at the end of her question unsaid.

Naaza's eyes widened further than I'd ever seen them before. No doubt she was in shock that I actually knew about her little operation.

I sighed and scratched my head, "I did look into why the Miach Familia went from a decently strong Familia to what it is now. I managed to learn that Miach-sama incurred a lot of debt to heal one of his children with grave injuries. And that most of the Familia fled because of said debt. Except for one."

I offer my left hand to Naaza, the unsaid expectation that she place her right hand in my open hand. Naaza, meanwhile, looked to be in shock - like her whole world was turned upside down and ripped out from underneath her.

Slowly, she raised her arm and put her hand into mine. There was no mistaking the feel of it, a metal prosthetic.

Naaza began to tell her story at that point, "I used to be an adventurer. I used to crawl the Dungeon like you do, Bell-san, saving up money… But one day, I screwed everything up. Got thoroughly wrecked by a monster, and it ate my right arm."

Lili's eyes stared at my hand holding Naaza's right, and flinched at Naaza's last words.

Naaza rolled up her right sleeve, with her other hand. It was impossible to mistake it for anything else. It's as smooth and shiny as a freshly polished sword. While looking almost exactly like a human arm, it's easy to see the gems embedded in the joints of the appendage. Must be how she can move and feel with the arm, magic is nice.

Naaza continued, "Miach-sama got it for me after I lost my real one… it's from that Dian Cecht Familia. He practically begged them."

"Dian Cecht Familia makes medicines and other things. Besides selling potions, they also take custom orders from adventurers and make special items to suit. This airgetlám, or 'silver arm,' is one of them."

She motions for me to let go of her hand, which I quickly take back in embarrassment. Naaza extended and flexed her arm, showing us how it works.

"Miach-sama took out a loan so he could buy this arm for me. The other members of our Familia turned their back on Miach-sama when they found out… and left, everyone."

She confirmed that Miach Familia used to be in the middle of the pack in terms of rank. At that time, it was strong enough to compete with Dian Cecht Familia on the open market selling potions.

Then after Naaza's accident, everything fell to pieces almost overnight. "All that stayed with Miach-sama was a useless former adventurer and a colossal loan," she says with fire still burning in her eyes.

"The way I am now, fighting monsters is impossible. I was able to change jobs and become a chemist only because my former compatriots taught me the tricks of the trade… But I can't make enough money to make a dent in the loan. I'm utterly useless."

"Naaza, you know that's not true," I told her firmly. She looked at me in surprise, her eyes watering.

I then said, "Naaza is not useless. She is a talented and resourceful person giving everything her all despite being in a tough situation. I know that Naaza is a good person, but she is desperate… It's been hard hasn't it?"

Naaza sniffled, "...Yeah. Miach-sama is too kind. Always giving potions away. Causing misunderstandings with ladies and leaving me to handle the fallout. We are constantly in the red and… and… w-we don't have e-enough to pay the debt due today–!"

Naaza started crying, the stress of her scam being revealed, her dark past being aired, and her current woes were too much to bear.

I didn't think, I just pulled her into a hug and patted her back. I held her as she cried for about a minute before she started to calm down.

"S-sorry," Naaza said as she pulled away.

"Don't be," I waved her off, "Friends help each other out when they're in trouble. So please, if there is anything I can do just say the word."

I then look back to Lili, whose face seems to be a mixture of exasperation, understanding… and frustration?

Anyway, I say to her, "Assuming Lili doesn't want to help this naive adventurer of hers?"

Lili sighed with a tired but accepting smile, "Bell-sama is an idiot, but very well."

I had the impression that while Lili had some empathy for Naaza, it wasn't enough for her to care. She was only going along because I had shown her similar kindness.

"So?" I then ask Naaza, "Have any ideas now that you have an idiotic adventurer and his savvy supporter on side?"

It was easy to deduce she had some kind of plan already. The Blue Pharmacy couldn't normally afford to use the Papillon wings, so it must be a part of some recent plan of Naaza's to cook up some kind of potion.

Naaza blinked in surprise, no doubt the whirlwind of emotions she was going through was making it hard to think. Eventually, she said, "...Yes. With you two, if you are willing to do another Quest, then I do have something. If I talk with Miach-sama, we might be able to negotiate a couple of day extension to the loan to give us the time we need."

"Then lets hash out the details so I can come up with something so that Hestia-sama doesn't murder Lili and I," I say jokingly.

Lili shuddered, "Please."

Naaza deadpanned, "...Right."

---

A few discussions happened after that. Naaza shared that the Quest would be to gather some eggs from a monster outside Orario. They'd be used with the wings to create a new potion that would pay for the debt.

She was real quiet about what monster exactly we would be after. But I held out that the Naaza who always informed me about stuff in the Dungeon before trying to peddle her wares would choose a barely appropriate time to share that info.

Anyway, due to our Familias' small sizes, it essentially necessitated that we take our gods with us or risk leaving them completely on their own in the city. That and it was a good excuse to let Hestia do some sightseeing. I imagine coming down from heaven to only work day in and out at a potato snack stand and weapon store wasn't her idea of fun.

We first talked with Miach-sama, who for better or worse learned of Naaza's behavior in running their store during the explanation. He tried to offer repayment for all the valis I was scammed out of, but I waved it away. Both because I was trying to help with his financial woes without damaging their pride and had been aware of what I was getting into the whole time.

And because a silent, scummy part of me was just fine with them repaying me with official ties of friendship between Familias instead.

The deity Dian Cecht, of course, chose to show up near the end of that conversation. Thankfully, Miach-sama was able to negotiate an extension for a few extra days. But if we failed, Dian Cecht was going to repossess Miach's home/shop. So the pressure was on.

After that, we all went to Hestia's place to discuss things with her. Hestia was upset with Naaza at first until I pointed out I was aware of the scam the whole time, where she then bemoaned by generosity. She didn't seem to mean it, however. Apologies were given and we were soon enough in agreement to pull off the Quest.

I quickly stopped by the Hostess to negotiate hours for the next few days. In the end, Mama Mia gave me a few days off because Anya needed the overtime after she broke about a third of the plates the pub owned. Clumsy girl.

The last discussion was a solo one, as I hadn't explicitly shared with anyone that I was training with Ais the last few days. So, I left her a note at Hestia's Jagamarukun potato stand that Ais seems to eat at on a daily basis and at our meeting spot on the walls… So it really wasn't much of a discussion since I didn't end up finding her.

Like hell I was going to try walking up to the Twilight Manor and ask if I could speak to Ais Wallenstein! That much is just blatantly stupid.

---

The next morning, we headed out for Orario's gates.

Once we finish some rather monotonous paperwork, we receive clearance to exit Orario's East Gate. A vast prairie spreads up before us, greens and golds swaying in the breeze.

"Lili asked yesterday, but will this plan actually work? Making a new item from scratch is not easy…" she seemed understandably skeptical. I guess while she might understand how Naaza is somewhat similar to herself, Lili still doesn't believe in adventurers - former or not. I don't blame Lili for being unable to completely overcome her trauma.

Somethings just… lurk… even with Skills to combat them.

"Not a problem, I've got an idea…" Naaza answers Lili's question with quiet confidence. As usual, Naaza looks like she could fall asleep at any moment. Her tail is lazily swishing back and forth behind her.

…I'm not staring. It's not a fetish, okay? I feel like anyone from Beyond couldn't help but be as curious as I was about it, okay! Ears! Tails! Cute!

"I didn't hear where we're headed today. Where's this cart taking us?" Hestia asked from her spot on the cart.

"The Deep Forest Seoro. It's not too far away, but we'll be in this cart for a while. Since we're all here together, now would be a good time for bonding," Miach-sama answered Hestia's question. He looks at Lili while saying that last part.

I kinda felt offended on Lili's behalf. Lili wasn't being passive aggressive for shits and giggles. Thankfully, Lili didn't seem to care about Miach's subtle words, so I kept my thoughts to myself.

This wooden cart is a lot more cramped than I thought it would be – it had seemed much larger at an outside glance. My shoulders brush up against my neighbors every time the wheels hit a bump in the road. All of us are sitting in a circle with Miach-sama closest to the driver, me next, then Hestia-sama, Lili, and finally Naaza on the other side of Miach-sama.

The morning sun shines down directly on us because this cart isn't one of those stereotypical carts with a roof and siding. Feeling the warmth on our faces and nothing better to do, we take Miach-sama's advice and strike up a conversation.

"Naaza-san, Lili knows that you successfully switched from adventurer to chemist. Does that mean that Nahza-san has learned Mixing as well?"

"Yes, I have… I learned enough by helping make medicine to gain the correct Excelia and was very lucky…"

"Um, is Mixing one of those…?" I begin to ask.

"It's a Development Ability that allows a person to create higher-quality items and medicine, Bell-sama," Lili confirmed for me.

It's one of the abilities that an adventurer could learn when they Level Up, if they have the right Excelia. Lili went on to explain that it allows a person to create a potion so powerful that it can close wounds on contact, just like a healing spell.

"Is it only for things like medicines and poisons?" I ask for clarification.

Naaza hummed, "Not necessarily, but those are the main uses. Why?"

I pause for a moment before saying, "...I've read once that mixing sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter can make a highly explosive black powder substance."

"Really?" Naaza seemed surprised and skeptical, "from such mundane ingredients?"

"Maybe in the future I'll invest in you guys to investigate," I offer, "If it's true, I can think of some applications that will help in the Dungeon."

The promise of potential investment was all Naaza had to hear to agree to look into it as soon as I provided funding.

"Speaking of having a Development Ability," Lili backtracked to an earlier portion of the conversation, "That would mean you were at least a Level 2 adventurer."

"Yeah. I'm Level 2…" Naaza confirmed, "I made it down into the middle levels, but a monster nearly burned me alive down there… Then it started eating chunks of my arms and legs."

"Oh no—" Hestia gasped. I flinched and Lili looked uncomfortable. Lili and I might have heard part of this already, but it was still a gruesome thought the second time.

"It took a lot of work to get my left arm and legs back to normal, but my right arm was beyond saving. The beast ate everything, even my bones… Ever since that day, I haven't been able to fight a monster. Just standing in front of one of them… My body won't stop shaking."

Chills run up and down my spine as I listen to her gruesome tale.

The stench of charred flesh all over her body. The feeling of being on her back and utterly defenseless as a monster devours her right arm. All of the traumatic memories of pain and fear that have literally been burned into her revive every time she faces any monster. She tells me everything.

I'm reminded of…

The echo of a Minotaur's roars sound through my head for a long moment.

"…Sorry, I didn't want to scare you," Naaza apologized.

"Ah, i-it's okay…" I stammer, reality coming back into focus.

"Anyway, don't let your guard down while crawling the Dungeon… It took me six years to level up… but it only takes a second to lose everything you've worked for."

I clear my throat and take Nahza's warning to heart.

"But that arm of yours, it's very, very well-made. Do you ever have any problem using it?" I ask.

"No, I can move it naturally…" Naaza responded casually.

"It cost an incredible amount of money, but I ordered the best item that Dian had available. While it pains me to admit this, I can trust that anything his Familia makes will be very high quality," Miach-sama said.

The deities in the cart quickly change the topic and clear the air. The mood quickly changes from dark and uncomfortable to light and friendly.

The girls start chatting amongst themselves.

"Miach-sama doesn't recognize my feelings for him at all… although I'm glad he doesn't notice all the other girls looking at him with hearts in their eyes… Sometimes I wonder if he really is a god…"

"Ahh, I know the feeling. My Bell is just as dense. I don't know how many times his cluelessness has made me cry."

"Hee-hee, but in Hestia-sama's case, Bell-sama is just keeping his distance out of respect and doesn't see Hestia-sama as a girl. It would be a good idea to realize that, you know… And Lili gets treated like a little sister."

Oi, oi, I can still hear you all you know? This cart isn't that big? And could Lili stop being so perceptive?

Miach-sama and I pretend to not hear anything. We both realize it wouldn't end well if we try to join the conversation.

"…Women are scary," I whisper to the medicine god.

He just nods back solemnly, as if acknowledging deep, powerful wisdom.

We pass by many carts heading toward Orario on our way down the road that cuts through the expansive grasslands.

We finally reach our destination with the sun high overhead.

"Okay, I can see why they call it the deep forest," Lili comments at the sight of Deep Forest Seoro. It's an incredibly dense forest located at the base of the Alb Mountain range, directly east from Orario. It reminds me of the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern US.

The trees, however, were much larger than in that North American mountain range. Every single tree in front of me reaches high into the sky, their trunks many times thicker than any other tree I've ever seen. The ground is covered in vibrant wildflowers and moss. This green realm is truly ruled by nature.

All of us quickly hop out of the cart and grab each of the bags we brought with us. After telling the cart driver we hired to wait for us outside the forest, all of us step into the wilderness together.

"We're going to get some monster eggs, right?" I ask knowingly.

"Yep. They're not drop items, but actual eggs…" Naaza confirmed.

We came all the way out here to find eggs that were laid by monsters. The monsters that escaped the Dungeon in the Old Age learned to live on land and reproduce on their own. Their descendants are scattered all around the world even today. Considering that they're still alive, the fact that some lay eggs isn't too surprising.

I keep my head on a swivel, looking for monsters as we make our way through the forest.

"…Bell-kun, stop there," Naaza told me eventually.

I had been leading the group down a thin animal trail through the trees when Nahza called out to me and I stopped moving.

She points out something up ahead and I notice a wide, round depression in the ground.

Naaza starts giving out orders a moment later. First, she tells Miach-sama and Hestia-sama to wait here. Then she puts Lili in charge of protecting them.

Last, she waves her hand and motions for me to follow her.

"Bell-kun, here." Keeping her shoulders low to the ground, Naaza brings me some equipment. A heavily worn broadsword and a backpack with something inside.

"What's this for?" I ask cautiously. Something seemed off. It was hard to place, but I just had a very bad feeling.

"These guys are tough without a weapon this big… Put the backpack on," Naaza elaborated vaguely. She hadn't specified which monsters we were after exactly. Just that they lived out here. Why had that not come up yet?

"I have a bad feeling about this…" I mutter to myself as Naaza goes a few paces ahead of me and stops in the shade of a tree just in front of the depression.

I can hear Naaza taking in all of the smells as the dog ears on her head arch back and open wide. The tension in the air is starting to make me nervous. My heart begins to pick up the pace when suddenly — Naaza moves.

She reaches past my shoulder and swiftly opens the top of the backpack.

"Uck…?!" My sinuses erupt in pain the instant a new stench wafts up my nostrils. I know the smell, but I can't quite place it. Naaza salutes me as I rack my brain for an answer.

"I wish you luck, Bell-kun. Sorry."

She takes off before I can even say, "Huh?"

She darts through the trees with the speed and agility befitting a Level 2 adventurer and leaves me behind. Even with her disability she is still that fast?!

I stare at where she was for a moment, blinking, when… out of nowhere, splat.

"…eh?" I squeak quietly.

A strange goo falls down from overhead. I can feel the warm, clear liquid running down my shoulder. Slowly but surely, I look up.

What greets my eyes is the drooling mouth of a large dinosaur. Di-no-saur.

Then it hits me: I remember where I've smelled the stuff that's in the backpack. Blood is racing so fast in my veins that I could pass out at any moment. It's a trap made of raw meat that draws out hungry monsters.

The dinosaur roared in a hungry fury and I screamed like a girl - hey, it was huge!

I turn my back to the massive beast and take off at full speed. Which was a pain in the ass to do, but I was too focused on running away to care about such annoyances. I deftly avoided running into trees, or tripping over rocks, roots, and uneven ground as I focused my efforts on avoiding becoming dinosaur kibble.

"Oh come on!" I yelled as I noticed the arrival of two more of the beasts chasing after me. It was finally getting into my head that I was bait to lure the monsters away from their eggs. I figured by this point, I lured them a decent distance away.

"Screw this!" I yelled, whipping the bag off of my shoulders and chucking it at the monsters behind me. The beasts stumbled over each other to get to the bait in the bags.

With the broadsword still firmly in my hands, I leapt onto the nearest beast and in a single motion stabbed down into its exposed neck. The dinosaur gave a weak roar of protest before it stilled.

I jerked the sword back, but the dull blade got caught in the dinosaur's neck bones or something. The other two beasts noticed their fallen comrade and roared their displeasure.

An arrow then, from out of nowhere, struck one of the dinosaurs right in its eye. Naaza must be supporting me from a distance now. I aim my hand at the other dinosaur, "Firebolt!"

The spell strikes the dinosaur's open mouth, blowing out the back of its neck without any thick hide to absorb the damage. It falls to the ground, dead.

The final dinosaur, arrow still in its eye, recovers enough to continue to charge me. A final tug finally frees the broadsword and I grab it with both hands. I patiently waited a moment for the dinosaur to get close and ducked into its new blind spot. I sharply kicked its jaw, jerking the dinosaur's head to the side and exposing its neck.

I slam my foot back down and put my whole body into an upwards swing, taking the last dinosaurs' head clean off.

The battle over, I sigh as the tension leaves my system. Looking for my party, I quickly find them all waving me over.

Time to head home. Hopefully.

---

While Lili and Hestia were flagging down our carriage driver, I pulled Naaza to the side.

"Why didn't you tell me what monsters we were after?" I asked her, feeling hurt at the trick she pulled off earlier.

Naaza's ears fell down guiltily. She apologized saying, "Sorry Bell… I thought if you knew it was a Bloodsaurus…"

"That I'd chicken out?" I finish for her.

"…Yes," Naaza admitted, "They normally inhabit the 30th Floor… But the ones on the surface are only equivalent to one third of that strength… just a Floor 10 monster really… but, still…"

I realized what she was trying to say and deduced, "You were afraid I wouldn't be able to reconcile the difference between the Dungeon and Surface versions. You were scared I would… abandon you."

Naaza nodded slowly, refusing to look me in the eye.

I was silent for a moment, struggling to find the words to say. I wanted to blurt out that I would never abandon her, because Naaza was fundamentally a good person. I believed she was good. But I also knew that I couldn't take back any words once they've been said.

How many times had Naaza's old comrades said they would never leave her? Would abandon her and their god? Would my assertion cause more pain and doubt rather than heal and uplift?

When the goings got really tough… would I have the courage to stand firm? To be responsible? When I was so weak?

How could I save Naaza when I was so unsure in myself?

I sighed, and said, "…I forgive you."

…I might not be able to save Naaza entirely from her fears, but I could at least forgive her for being consumed by it.

"I'm not thrilled, but I get it. So don't beat yourself up about it. Okay, Naaza-san?" I said with a tired but easy-going grin.

Naaza smiled tired and gratefully, "…Thank you, Bell… for—"

"Hey let's get a move on you too!" Hestia yelled at us sharply.

"Yeah, we are burning daylight and Lili wants to go home! Lili can't stand these mosquitoes!" Lili complained.

Poor girl, despite being the smallest of us, the mosquitoes most have liked her blood type or something.

Miach waved at us and gave a nervous laugh. He must have picked up on the fact that Hestia and Lili were being aggressive for reasons they hadn't listed (involving me being too close to a different girl).

"Well, you heard 'em. Let's go," I said with an easy going smile, hoping my tone conveyed how it was water under the bridge.

Naaza smiled and nodded.

Message received.

Welp! Let's go home. We've got work to do!

---

"Wh…Why youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…?!" A deep roar of frustration rang out under the night sky.

All of us waiting on the outside of the opposing deity mansion's four high walls knew the transaction was successful at that moment.

"Sounds like it worked…" Naaza sighed in relief.

"That geezer isn't dumb enough to turn down the opportunity to make a killing. Although I'm sure he wanted to see us squirm… Too bad," Lili said smugly.

Naaza half laughed as she responded to Lili's comment.

"Whew, that was a long day! There was no time to sit down," Hestia declared, and I chuckled at her 'misfortune'.

A battle against time to produce the 'Double Potion' was waiting for us as soon as we arrived home in Orario after collecting those monster eggs from the Deep Forest Seoro. While Miach and Naaza worked their fingers to the bone to meet their deadline, the rest of us helped out in any way we could. All of us worked continuously for hours on end.

Just in time to make the finished product as the sun was dipping below the city walls. Night had almost fallen by the time we reached the Dian Estate.

"But we really did a good job making it. And at the last moment, too," I complimented the group collectively.

"The people of Orario are obsessed with the Dungeon and don't even try to learn about the possibilities around them… There are so many discoveries out there just waiting for people to find them," Naaza said sagely.

"Oh, Miach. Finished already?" Hestia noticed him first.

"Yes. Everything has been settled," Miach confirmed as he emerged from the gate and returned to the spot where the group was waiting for him. He smiled and said that they no longer had to worry about being kicked out of their own home as he looked at each person in turn.

"Allow me to thank you once again. This was only possible because of you, and you have my gratitude."

"I'm happy to hear that your load has become a little lighter," Hestia said, no doubt having an understanding of his circumstances. The Hestia Familia would be stuck with our weird accommodations until we somehow get at least a few spare million valis to acquire a decent property with room for an expanding Familia.

"It was a quest worth doing," Lili said neutrally, but with a smile.

Miach finally turned to face Naaza, his thin eyes smiling, "Naaza."

"Yes…" She said shyly.

"Yesterday, I heard you called yourself useless."

"…Yes," Naaza said after shooting me a betrayed look.

Guilty as charged, I snitched on her.

"I have never, ever thought that even once," Miach declared.

Her eyes opened wide as she listened to Miach's words.

"I am a god whom you have saved many times. Even if we're not as well off as we once were, your presence makes it all worth it. So please, don't be so hard on yourself."

"…Is that an order?" She asked cautiously.

"No, a solemn request from the god who watches over you more than any of the other children," Miach stepped in front of her as he spoke, reached out, and stroked her hair.

Caught in the warm gaze of her deity, Naaza blushed for a moment before looking at the ground. I could see her whisper something under her breath as he patted her head but not the contents of it.

The three of us watched with various levels of amusement and awkwardness at seeing the touching scene.

After a few moments, Naaza went out of her way to talk to me personally, "Bell-kun, thank you for today. Really… Really, thank you."

My chest felt warm with a twinge of what felt like satisfaction. I smiled brightly, and said, "It was my pleasure!"

The dog girl gave a deep bow before raising her head and pulling a vial out of her… natural breast 'pocket'.

"Eh," I blush at the motion, "isn't that…"

"A Double Potion… There was only one left over, but… this is the reward for completing the quest, and my thanks," Naaza's face went back to her usual drowsy expression, but with a smile on her lips. "If you need help with anything, tell me. After everything I've done, I need to make it up to you…"

My surprise faded away as my smile returned, big enough to rival Naaza's. I took the warm potion and finally completed the quest.

Warm…

My eyes wandered…

Naaza smirked slightly, "Bell-kun, you pervert…"

"I'm not!" I denied instantly, my eyes shooting back up to hers, but my blush remained

Seriously?! Why must I always play the straight-man? And she's the one who chose to hide the potion in her boobs when she has perfectly functional pouches and pockets!

I'm Innocent!

You can't blame me!

It's the damn teenage hormones I tell youuuu!

---

Other POV

Ryuu watched with narrowed eyes as Bell Cranel, currently in his disguise, left the pub back for the annex. It was the end of the shift and all of the remaining girls were headed in the same direction for their own rest.

"What's got you making that look?" Syr asked, coming up to Ryuu's side.

"...Cranel-san," Ryuu responded after a moment's thought, "His determination has faltered lately. Especially this last week."

"And here I was about to comment how you were looking at him like a jealous lover," Syr giggled.

Ryuu blushed at the other girl's scandalous words, "S-Syr-chan!"

Syr gave a final giggle before sighing and saying seriously, "But I get what you mean. Ever since he almost died to the Minotaur… he hasn't quite been the same."

Ryuu nodded her agreement with Syr's interpretation of the timeline.

"So?" Syr asked, "What are you going to do about it?"

"...Why should I?" Ryuu asked, "Should that not be your place? As his future lover?"

"L-lover?" Syr blushed before slapping her cheeks to control herself, "Ryuuuuuu! Don't tease me! This is serious!"

Ryuu felt like deadpanning. Didn't Syr start the teasing in the first place?

Syr then said, "Anyway! I can't do it because Bell-kun wouldn't be able to accept my words since I'm just a civilian. But if it came from the sensei he respects and cherishes so much…"

Ryuu shook her head, "You over exaggerate and embellish."

Ryuu was unable to believe that she was a good teacher. Nor could she accept that anyone, including Bell, held her in high regards. She was ignorant to the irony that the boy himself thought she felt similarly about him.

"Trust me, Ryuu-chan!" Syr insisted, "As his future head wife, I have to know these kinds of things! He really respects your opinion. It means the world to him."

"Shouldn't that bother you?" Ryuu asked, somehow unphased at Syr's proclamation at being the head of Bell's (currently?) non-existent harem.

Ryuu would have been mortified, however, to know that she was not only on Syr's list for Bell's other lovers, but the only other one. And that part of the reason Syr was having Ryuu talk with Bell was to help push them closer together.

"Why would it?" Syr said with confusion, "Ryuu-chan being close to Bell-kun makes me really happy!"

"Is that so?" Ryuu asked. She always felt a smidge guilty at spending so much more one-on-one time with Bell Cranel than Syr got to. Even if Bell Cranel got to spend plenty of time with Syr everyday during his shifts.

"It is so!" Syr confirmed, "So, give him a stern talking to when you get the chance, okay? But don't worry! I've also got something planned to help him out! It's a secret though!"

Ryuu hummed, "...Fine. I'll consider speaking to him about it."

"As his sensei and not as my representative!" Syr added a stipulation.

Ryuu felt exasperated. She was hardly qualified to be the one teaching Bell Cranel. She didn't want to taint his soul that reminded her of…

Point being, she also couldn't resist the compulsion to pass on the wisdom and skills of her Familia to someone like Bell Cranel… but not when he was like he'd been recently. She had hoped that a break would give her time to think on what to do and hopefully get himself back on track. But that had failed.

Syr had the right idea, as she always does. Ryuu would figure out what was bothering the young adventurer. For Bell Cranel's sake. For Syr's sake.

And for herself. Even if she refused to acknowledge it.

---

Bell Cranel

Level 1

Strength: SS: 1062 - SS: 1063

Vitality: SSS: 1270 - SSS: 1271

Dexterity: S: 999 - SS: 999

Agility: SSS: 1210 - SSS: 1211

Magic: S: 900 - S: 901

Magic:

(Firebolt)

• Swift-Strike Magic

(Hiraishin)

• Enchantment 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:

()

---

Authors Notes

(1) As a result of the merge between OG Bell and the Protagonist, it's not only memories but personality that have been jumbled together. Usually this isn't much of a problem if both halves have the same feelings about people. But in Ais' case, suspicion and adoration clash resulting in large amounts of emotional flip-flopping. Even so, the protagonist is still unable to recognize how much Bell-like he has genuinely become – the mind meld results in Bell-like behavior to be normal because he has memories that says he acts that way – which is the explanation for why he does so many Bell-like things. Basically, the Protagonist would be in the middle of an Identity Crisis if they ever noticed the discrepancy. But since no one besides Bell himself and Zeus know what he was like before the Merge, no one can call out the discrepancy so the looming Identity Crisis will be hard to trigger. I've been subtle about it because the story mostly follows the protagonist's POV and thus he is an unreliable narrator that can't comment on things he doesn't notice. This has always been my intention since this story is essentially a parody of transmigration stories where the inserted character gets memories but not the personality of the person they are inhabiting from those memories. The picking and choosing of what gets inherited is inconsistent and doesn't make sense. The new arrival should either get nothing or everything, I say!

(2) Bell is remembering Lefiya's Skill incorrectly. In canon, it just lets her summon magic from other Elves as long as she knows the incantation and jist of how the spell works. But this isn't entirely canon… In any case, I wonder what the Loki Familia officially told the Guild about Lefiya's skills…

(3) Nope. Lefiya managed to spot you lovebirds. Awkward.

The impression I've had is that Ais initially offering to train Bell in canon was to observe him because of his unusually fast progression through the Dungeon. It was only during the week of training that she was more intent on training him without ulterior motives. As such, an interaction similar to the own at the Guild was always going to happen.

As you can see at the little Status update shown at the end, Liaris Freese has all but halted in the face of Bell's uncertainty and insecurities. Thankfully, most of the excelia is backlogged and will reappear as soon as Liaris Freese starts working again.

Just because Singularity blocks fear of death, it doesn't mean it can block fear of Failure. It's something everyone struggles with. It doesn't help that other people around him seem to be much more capable than himself.

In case it wasn't obvious, all of the times Ais, and people like Naaza who are noticeably stronger, who has gotten involved is making the protagonist hyper aware of his weakness and how ultimately he's only been able to do what he's done so far because Ais helped him directly. It's a real killer to his self-esteem, creates self-doubt, and is one of many reasons why he subconsciously is avoiding dislodging canon. Fear of failure.

Did he really save Lili if Ais had to save him first? Is facing the pantry impressive when Ais could solo the entire hoard?

How is he supposed to make meaningful changes if he is so weak?

Bell is being dumb, but I think anyone would be discouraged when they see someone (much less multiple someones) doing what they would like to do with such ease.

Most of this anxiety comes from witnessing Ais. Some is from his own perception that Ryuu is only pitying him. Even even Naaza being faster is a stressor — Nevermind the logical fallacy with Naaza who very much does not have her shit together. The protagonist's doubts and insecurities don't have to be logical, that's how feelings are sometimes.

The overarching theme of the season 1 arc here is Bell finding the resolve to truly be the hero he claims to want to be. His reluctance to deviate from canon is a symptom of this. He's partly deluding himself - he's honest about not being too attached to following canon but he's too afraid and unsure of himself. Fear of Failure.

Thankfully, he's made a close relationship with a certain someone who isn't going to put up with his self-degrading attitude for much longer. And will remind him of the motivation that drove him at the beginning of his journey.

It's overall a problem I think everyone can understand. It's like having the motivation to start working out to gain muscle or lose weight but faltering on following through. That kind of dilemma is the inherent source of everyone's frustration with the protagonist.

The protagonist was never supposed to do everything correctly from the get go. That would be too perfect and boring. This dumbass has plenty of room and time to grow into a proper paragon.

I can't wait for the protagonist to get over himself and out of season 1 so the real fun stuff can start. The ending portion of season 1 is where I've planned for things to get incrementally more and more broken. I'm still trying to get through the actual written 'draft' of chapter 11, which has gotten so big I'll probably need to split it in half.

Honestly though! He could have just talked to Hestia. The protagonist is an idiot. She would have gotten his head out of his ass if she just talked to her. She didn't get up in his business in hopes he would come to her first. Because she's afraid of even more of Bell's Excelia getting obscured by Singularity.

Also, Welf is mentioned. Bell is trying to find Welf sooner than he would have, but is having difficulty in actually achieving it. Then again, he isn't putting a ton of effort in the search yet either since it isn't a big concern yet.

The protagonist's attempts to locate Welf passively aren't working because Welf tends to avoid others looking for him specifically because of the whole magic weapon thing. Thankfully, Welf doesn't know who is trying to find him so that won't go against the protagonist. And even if it did, Bell revealing he had purchased Welf's armor would have erased such suspicions anyway. Point is, Bell won't be able to find Welf until he searches in person.

All in all, I think this is a good chapter, albeit a little boring. Bell is at the lowest he'll be for the current arc – it's not pleasant to look at. A time will come where he was wishing this was the least of his problems…

Next time, Bell gets a stern talking to and Freya does shenanigans!

Minotaurs are pretty scary after having been so close to death because of one you know. I've been hinting as such ever since the initial encounter, so sue me.

P.S. Currently still trying to write chapter 11 and 11.5 and things are finally starting to go full tilt. Emphasis on 'starting'... though that's not quite right either. Point is, things after Chapter 11 will start getting more unpredictable. So look forward to that?