Chapter 3 - Lucky Rabbit?

"Mmn."

Hestia slowly opened her eyes as the soft morning light began to fill the abandoned church around her. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the brightness, and then she turned slightly, feeling a comforting warmth beside her.

Lying next to her was Bell. His white hair was slightly tousled, and his face bore a serene, almost angelic expression. He was sleeping deeply, his breathing calm and rhythmic, with his chest rising and falling steadily. His long lashes cast delicate shadows on his pale cheeks, and Hestia couldn't help but let a tender smile spread across her face.

She watched him for a few moments, her heart warming at the sight of such a peaceful, intimate scene. The way his hair fell gently across his forehead, how his body rested so relaxed. It was rare to see him like this, especially without the rush of the Dungeon or the weight of his responsibilities as an adventurer.

In truth, seeing him sleep so peacefully was a pleasant surprise, especially after what had happened yesterday. He fought a Minotaur and won. When he told her, her heart nearly stopped. Fortunately, he was fine, unscathed thanks to that damned Loki Familia. Even though it was their Familia that healed him, they were also responsible for putting Bell in danger in the first place.

She shook her head, clearing those thoughts. She could worry about that later—there was something more important right now.

Hestia realized that she was still clinging to him, her arms gently wrapped around his torso. The memory of the previous night made her blush slightly. The night before, she had asked if she could sleep with him, something she often requested, though she knew Bell always politely declined. He always showed her an almost unwavering respect, never wanting to cross a certain line.

But, to her surprise, this time, he accepted without hesitation.

"Of course, Hestia."

Those words still echoed in her mind. Simple, direct. He didn't even seem bothered by the idea, which had sent her into a state of pure bliss at the time.

She snuggled even closer to Bell, feeling the warmth of his body through the thin sleepwear she had on. Her heart began to race, and a wide, radiant smile formed on her lips. It felt like a dream. Finally, she was here, beside him, without feeling like she had to beg or insist. It filled her with a childlike joy, and she couldn't help but squeeze her eyes shut and smile even more, her face sinking slightly into the worn-out pillow.

"Finally," she thought aloud, holding back a happy giggle.

However, as her thoughts wandered, something began to bother her again. Bell had been acting a little different lately. Not in a bad way, but… strangely, in a way. He had stopped calling her "Goddess" like he used to and now simply called her by her name: Hestia. She had been confused at first but soon found herself happy about it. He was calling her by her name.

She also recalled what he told her yesterday.

"At least in this life, you'll be the most important person to me."

Her heart melted on the spot. She clung to that feeling, to the idea that, to him, she was everything. The most important person. Even though he seemed a bit different, even though his words carried a confidence she hadn't recognized in him before—and his strange choice of words when he said it—it made her so happy that she didn't even care to question it.

'If I'm the most important person to him…,' she thought to herself, 'then everything is fine, right?'

She bit her lip, holding back another smile, feeling a bit silly. But it was impossible to avoid. The Bell who always rushed to help her, who saw her as someone to protect, now seemed to treat her as someone equally important in his life.

Hestia looked back at him, still asleep. The entire world seemed distant and unnecessary in that moment. Here, beside him, she had everything she wanted. Nothing else mattered.

She felt a bit selfish, but why not? Even though they had known each other for less than a month, it felt like she had been waiting for this for a long time. For this closeness that now seemed so natural. And even with all these small changes in him, even with his newfound confidence, even his boldness, Hestia could only feel joy.

'Maybe he's matured... Or maybe he's tired of being so restrained.'

It could also have something to do with his encounter with the Minotaur yesterday.

The truth was, she didn't know. But, honestly, she didn't care. As long as he was beside her, as long as she could enjoy these precious moments, everything was perfect.

Finally, she took a deep breath, taking in the subtle scent of the room mixed with the faint fragrance of Bell. Her smile widened as she thought, amidst the bubbling joy, how perfect her life seemed by his side.

Perhaps she was exaggerating. If someone saw her acting this way and knew how long she and Bell had known each other, they'd probably be confused. It didn't seem like the affection of people who had known each other for less than a month. Even Hestia found it a bit strange, as she herself felt that something had changed in her yesterday, though she didn't know what. She didn't dwell on it.

She could barely hold back a small, happy sigh as she gently squeezed his arm, snuggling a little closer. This morning didn't need to end. And with him beside her, nothing in the world felt more right.

Bell shifted slightly but didn't wake, which made Hestia smile even more. He seemed so peaceful, so protected beside her. As if, for once, she was the one shielding him from everything the world could throw at him. She wondered, in a childlike way, if they could ever stay like this forever.

Still lost in these thoughts, Hestia finally whispered softly, as if dreaming aloud:

"Do you think we'll really leave this place and live in a mansion, Bell-kun?"

And even without expecting an answer, her heart believed in the promise he had made the night before.

...

...

Bell slowly blinked his eyes, feeling the soft weight of exhaustion still enveloping him. He stared at the familiar ceiling of the Abandoned Church where he and Hestia lived. The morning light already illuminated the room, creating a contrast with the shadows filling the corners of the modest space. He felt the warmth of something close to him, and as he turned, he saw Hestia sleeping peacefully by his side.

She was clinging to him, her delicate arms wrapped around his waist as if the whole world depended on that embrace. Her face, so close to his, displayed a soft, childlike smile. Her long black hair, tied in twin tails, was slightly disheveled, spread out on the pillow and framing her serene face. Bell watched for a moment, observing her gentle breathing, her chest rising and falling calmly. She seemed completely at ease, as if this was the safest place for her.

He couldn't help but smile a little.

After many regressions, it was quite rare to see Hestia this close, in a peaceful moment like this. Usually, she was full of energy, always expressive, and sometimes a bit stubborn. But now, she looked fragile, almost ethereal. That sight warmed him from within. He remembered the previous night when, after Hestia's sudden request, he accepted her sleeping beside him.

If it had been one of his earlier "versions," he would still have refused. Quite pathetic, really. After all, she just wanted to sleep next to him; it wasn't a big deal.

Either way, seeing things this way, with Hestia sleeping so peacefully, it was hard to believe that a calamity would soon befall Orario and the world. Fun times like this would almost cease to exist. However, as he had decided in this life, those problems would not be his concern.

Bell let out a small yawn. He had indeed slept well.

It made him think about his past lives, the deaths he had faced, and the times everything repeated. He felt the familiar weight of his memories pressing on his mind. During the many regressions he experienced, he often had recurring nightmares about his previous deaths. Deaths he relived over and over—at the claws of monsters, in the darkness of the Dungeon, or at the hands of stronger enemies. In every life, he had fought, failed, and returned to the beginning, carrying all his defeats.

There was a time, in some regressions, when Bell almost couldn't sleep. Every night, when he closed his eyes, he was haunted by scenes of his end. The invisible scars from those experiences followed him like ghosts. However, over time, he got used to it. Used to the pain, the loss, and the inevitable end. His mind hardened, and the nightmares became less frequent, to the point where he could manage them.

But that night... that night he had slept deeply. There were no nightmares. No memories of death. Just the comforting warmth beside him and the serenity that filled the room. Perhaps it was because of Hestia.

Bell sighed, feeling a slight burning sensation on his back. He then remembered the sensation that took hold of him when he defeated the Minotaur the day before. Something inside him had changed—he knew it. And that burning sensation could only mean one thing: a Skill was in use. He was quite curious about it.

However, he hadn't updated his Status with Hestia yet, something he urgently needed to do. He was so exhausted the night before that he had asked Hestia to go to sleep without updating his Status.

He glanced at Hestia again, still lost in her peaceful sleep. She was murmuring something softly, almost as if she were dreaming. Bell couldn't quite hear her at first, but as he leaned closer, he realized she was calling his name in the midst of disconnected whispers.

"Bell... Bell-kun..." Her voice was faint and drawn out, while a shy smile formed on her lips.

He smiled, finding the scene incredibly endearing. He almost didn't want to wake her but knew he needed to. Gently, he brought a hand to Hestia's face, his fingers softly caressing her cheek. The touch made Hestia murmur again, this time stirring a little, as if resisting waking up. She seemed to be in a sweet, tranquil dream.

"Hestia... it's time to wake up..."

She mumbled something unintelligible, still immersed in her sleep.

"Mmn... just a little more..." Hestia said, turning slightly to the other side, her face buried in the pillow. She seemed reluctant to leave the dream she was having.

Bell couldn't help but chuckle softly, and his hand continued to gently stroke her face until, finally, she blinked her eyes, slowly returning to reality. When her eyes focused on him, Hestia visibly blushed. She realized the position she was in, still clinging to Bell, and her embarrassed expression made her look even more adorable.

"B-Bell…?" She asked sleepily, her eyes shining with surprise and confusion. A red flush tinted her cheeks as she tried to process the situation.

"Sorry to wake you," Bell said with a smile. "But we need to update my Status. We didn't do it last night."

Hestia blinked a few times, trying to remember what he was talking about. When she finally realized, her face lit up.

"Oh! That's right, you fought that Minotaur..." Hestia quickly sat up, still a little groggy from sleep but clearly excited. "Let's do it now!"

It was impressive how she could go from sleepy to full of energy in a matter of seconds. He turned onto his back, preparing for her to begin the process of updating his Status.

As Hestia gathered the necessary materials, Bell again felt the slight burning sensation on his back, a familiar feeling that he knew could only come from a new skill. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax.

It didn't take long for Hestia to update Bell's Status. However, she seemed to be taking a little longer to transfer his Status onto the paper.

"..."

"Hestia? Why is it taking so long?"

"Ah! Sorry, I'm just a bit in shock. Hold on," he heard her say. "I mean, I know you killed a Minotaur at Level 1, but these ridiculous numbers?" she murmured.

She seemed to be having trouble believing what she was seeing. Although Bell had pierced the Minotaur's eye, he had killed the monster with his own hands. It wouldn't be an exaggeration if he had maxed out all his stats, except for Magic.

"Well, Bell. It seems you've gained two Skills... maybe three, I'm not sure what this thing is. Hehe."

For some reason, she seemed quite happy, with a smiling face. When Bell looked at Hestia, he noticed her face was red. He raised an eyebrow.

Hestia handed the Status sheet to Bell. He was quite curious, so he quickly began reading the Status sheet.


Bell Cranel

Level 1

Strength - SSS: 1293

Endurance - SS: 1003

Dexterity - SSS: 1269

Agility - S: 987

Magic - I: 0

Skills: Ragebound, Divine Sentinel

Ragebound: [The world's fury is an unpredictable force]

- Exponential increase in abilities when facing enraged monsters.

Divine Sentinel: [As long as the divine flame is your guide, the guardian will always find strength beyond expectations]

- A silent oath of protection knows no end. As long as the bond with your goddess remains, growth is inevitable.

- Increased growth speed as long as you believe and fight in the name of your goddess.


Bell blinked a few times as he read the Status sheet. His stats had indeed jumped to an absurd level, even for killing a Minotaur. Probably due to Divine Sentinel. Now he understood why Hestia seemed so happy. He had gained a different version of Liaris Freese, apparently.

This wasn't surprising to Bell, as he had gained a variation in other regressions as well. But this version of Liaris Freese seemed a bit different from the others.

Liaris Freese had increased his growth rate as long as he maintained romantic feelings for Aiz. He kept Liaris Freese in the earlier regressions, but eventually, he began awakening various different variations.

For example, he would gain growth as long as he harbored hatred for monsters, dragons, or if he was doing his best to save the world. He had awakened several variations, but it never mattered because he always ended up failing in the end.

There were a few lives where he didn't awaken any kind of Liaris Freese variant to increase his growth rate. That happened after he lost hope of saving the world. Needless to say, those regressions were hellish.

Without the rapid growth, there was nothing he could do, as disasters happened quickly, one after another.

The number of times he didn't get Liaris Freese or some variant was few enough to count on one hand, as Bell made sure to awaken some form of rapid growth Skill, even if he had lost all hope of saving everyone. Without rapid growth, he struggled to handle the basic challenges that arose.

Those regressions were a complete disaster.

And then there was Ragebound. That one was a bit unexpected and interesting. It seemed like an upgraded version of Ox Slayer, where he gained a boost against all kinds of enraged monsters.

He didn't have any Skills at this point, but ended up with two, though very similar to those he had in other regressions. Even though it was considered a fast evolution, he wasn't too excited about it. There had been a few times when he gained faster growth than usual, but nothing changed.

His last regression happened when he was 12 years old, giving him relatively more time than all the other regressions to train. However, that extra time didn't help at all. He failed and died as always.

Furthermore, whenever he was progressing too quickly, fate seemed to enjoy messing with him in some way, so it was better not to rush things, especially in this life, where he planned to enjoy it as much as possible. The longer he could stay alive in this life, the longer his vacation would be.

He couldn't afford to grow stronger too quickly, or fate would try to mess with him.

Setting all that aside, Bell focused on a part of the status sheet. This was probably what Hestia said she didn't know about. There was no description, nor did it seem to be grouped with the other Skills. It was in a part of the sheet where there was nothing, right at the bottom. There was only the name:


[Hunting Territory]


Bell narrowed his eyes.

'What the hell is this?' he thought. 'I don't remember getting anything like this in my previous regressions.'

There was only the name Hunting Territory. He could guess a few things from the name, but that was it. It was strange. For some reason, he felt uneasy not knowing what it was. However, it was a waste of time to dwell on it now. He could find out later, but it probably wasn't anything important.

"I see. I also have no idea what it is."

Hestia nodded. "Should I blur it out along with Divine Sentinel? It doesn't make sense to keep it when we don't know what it is. Meanwhile, Divine Sentinel is something really dangerous for other gods to know about."

Hestia seemed quite worried about the latter. It was the same as before, although there was a difference here.

"Do it."

Bell didn't need to think too much. Although he didn't need to immediately show the status sheet with the Skills, he would eventually need to show it to Eina, so it didn't make sense to delay it. Besides, it seemed Hestia hadn't hidden Divine Sentinel like she did with Liaris Freese and other variations during the regressions when he was in the Hestia Familia. Was it because she was the focus of the growth Skill this time?

Either way, it was a good thing. At least he didn't need to talk to her about it.

Hestia took the status sheet and smiled happily. She was reading the effects of Divine Sentinel again before "removing" the Skill along with [Hunting Territory], which she didn't know what it was since there was no description. Well, whatever it was, if it was truly something, they would eventually find out.

Hestia finished and handed the sheet back to Bell.

"Here, all done! If your advisor asks, just say I made a mistake transferring your status to the sheet, and there's no problem!"

Bell nodded as he took the status sheet. It was as if he had expected this.

"But Bell-kun... Do you want to announce your level-up now? It's been just over two weeks since you became an adventurer. I think it would be better to hide it—"

Hestia couldn't finish speaking as Bell interrupted her.

"No, I'll do it today. So, please, level me up immediately."

"... Are you sure? I mean, this will attract the attention of many gods, Bell-kun."

"You don't need to worry about that. It's known to the Guild that I defeated the Minotaur alone. I killed it on my own at level 1. Even if there's a scandal, it won't be as much as if I had simply leveled up quickly in a month or so. And even if that weren't the case, I really don't care."

"I understand you, but..."

Hestia seemed quite worried. She was just a minor goddess. If the other gods took an interest in Bell, she feared she wouldn't be able to protect him from them. In the past, she would have simply persuaded him to hide it for at least a month.

However, now she couldn't even try to insist on it. Bell's voice, as well as his demeanor, seemed different. He was confident. And while she liked it a little, she was still afraid that the other gods would try to take him away from her. Especially now that they seemed closer than ever.

Bell noticed Hestia's concern and let out a small sigh before speaking.

"You're worried that the other gods might try to take me, right?"

She just nodded.

"You really don't need to worry about that. I've already told you, haven't I? You are the most important person to me in this life. I won't leave you, so there's no need to worry."

Though she blushed again when he said that, she still showed a bit of stubbornness.

"But... they might try to force you, Bell. I'm not talking about gods from small Familias, but those who manage a large Familia. They could try to take you from me by force..."

Bell stood up and got a little closer to Hestia. She was slightly surprised when he knelt on the ground and took her hand. He looked directly into her eyes before speaking.

"You don't need to worry. Trust me. If there's truly a Familia with enough courage to try to take me from you by force... Then I'll simply destroy all of them."

Hestia's heart froze at those words. He said it directly, looking into her eyes. There was no lie in his words.

It was strange. She never thought Bell could say such words with so much confidence. In fact, she really couldn't believe that the Bell she met two weeks ago, a novice adventurer, would say he would simply destroy any Familia that tried to take him from her.

She probably should have been happy with those words. But... she couldn't feel happy.

It just felt strange.

"Well!" Bell stood up, pulling Hestia from her thoughts. "Wouldn't this also be the perfect opportunity?"

"Perfect opportunity?" Hestia was confused.

"Yes, the perfect opportunity for you to boast to Loki. Her Familia's Sword Princess holds the record for the fastest level-up, having done it in one year. But I just broke her record and exploded it in their faces, reaching level two in just two weeks. Don't you want to brag about that to Loki?"

Hestia hesitated a bit as she thought about it. It would be nice to rub that in Loki's face, but she could still do that even if they waited a bit longer to announce Bell's level-up.

Looking at Bell, Hestia sighed.

"Alright, come here."

He complied. In just a few seconds, the process was complete.

"Congratulations on reaching level 2, Bell-kun. You also have some Development Abilities to choose from. Which one do you want?"

Hestia asked Bell after listing the three Development Abilities he knew very well. The other two were common, appearing for many adventurers upon leveling up. However, he didn't need to think too much to choose.

"I'll go with [Luck]."

"Luck, huh. This is the first time I've seen something like this, but I also think it's good," Hestia murmured before adding Luck to Bell's status.

Luck was a Development Ability that always appeared for him in all his regressions. There had been times when different Development Abilities appeared when he leveled up to two, but Luck was always there for him to choose. There were times he chose something different, but it didn't make much difference.

The main reason he chose Luck again was because of the place he planned to go today after talking to Eina at the Adventurers Guild about his level-up. Because of Hestia's work, she wouldn't have much time to look for Hermes, so it would take a while to contact him.

Bell wanted some money to spend, especially with Hestia. Even if she found Hermes sooner than expected, it would still take time for Hermes to deliver the letters Bell wanted him to send. So, getting immediate money was just a beneficial gain.

All of this, plus the fact that he really didn't want to rely on the Dungeon for money. But when Bell spoke with Hermes and the messenger god delivered the letters he wanted, money would never be an issue again, so he just needed to hold out until then.

"Alright, all done! I have to go to work or I'll be late," Hestia really didn't want to get another scolding for being late. That idiot boss.

"Just hold on until we find Hermes and he delivers my letters," Bell gently placed his hand on Hestia's head as he stood up.

The action made Hestia blush. She quickly hugged Bell, and he returned the embrace.

"Bell-kun, even though you're level 2, be careful in the Dungeon, okay?" she whispered as she held him.

"Don't worry about that. I'm not planning on going to the Dungeon today."

"Hm? What are you going to do then?" She lifted her head and looked at his face, confused.

"Earn some money in other ways."

Hestia didn't know why, but that answer really didn't make her feel comfortable.

"What exactly are these 'other ways,' Bell-kun?"

He wasn't planning anything illegal, was he? I mean, it's Bell. Her Bell would never do anything illegal to earn money, right?

"Nothing much, just some bets at a Casino."

Then, the reason he chose Luck finally clicked in Hestia's mind.


Bell walked through the bustling streets of Orario with a calm and measured step. The sky was still tinged with the soft colors of dawn, giving the city a tranquil and almost serene atmosphere. He had left home early, right after updating his status with Hestia, and was now heading towards the Guild, where he intended to talk to Eina about his level 2 advancement.

As he walked, Bell deliberately avoided passing near the Hostess of Fertility. He was not in the mood to run into Syr the way he had during previous encounters. At first glance, she seemed like a friendly waitress, someone he had not yet crossed paths with in this regression. But he knew very well the two people behind Syr's disguise; he knew them better than anyone else due to his many past regressions.

In his first life, Syr had approached him under the pretense that he had dropped a monster's magic stone, and his naive self had believed her without suspicion.

"I really was so foolish."

He murmured to himself.

As he made his way through the crowded streets, discreet whispers surrounded him, and Bell quickly noticed that several adventurers were looking at him with curiosity. He furrowed his brow. His steps took him through the crowd, where people seemed to whisper and, occasionally, cast glances in his direction. Curious, he tried to catch some of the whispers, which, although muffled, were audible enough:

"Is that really him? The guy dating the Sword Princess..."

"Who would have thought she had someone like him..."

"How did a rookie like him manage to get close to her?"

"Must be just because of his looks. Tch."

Bell took a deep breath, feeling mental fatigue already setting in from those rumors. He didn't really care about what people were saying, but it was impressive how quickly it spread. Just a day has passed, and so many people already know?

If it has spread this much, it's very likely that Hestia would hear about it.

Bell sighed again but decided it wasn't worth worrying about. He had more important things on his mind. The only person he would bother to clarify the situation with was Eina. Anything beyond that would be a waste of time. Eina was his advisor, and although he had enjoyed her reactions yesterday, it made no sense to let her remain confused because of this little joke.

Finally, Bell arrived at the Guild. The massive stone and wood building was imposing, with its tall entrance doors open to the constant flow of adventurers coming and going. As he pushed the door, all eyes in the lobby turned towards him, and this time, the whispers were louder and clearer than ever.

"...Is that the rookie dating the Sword Princess?"

"How did he manage that? I tried to talk to her several times before, but she barely gave me a word. It's annoying."

"Oh, how I wish I were in his place..."

The adventurers' eyes were fixed on him, and the palpable discomfort in the air was hard to ignore. It was clear that envy and curiosity were taking over most of them, but Bell simply ignored them. He was used to this kind of reaction from past regressions, so it was nothing new to him. With a determined look, he crossed the lobby and headed straight to the counter where Eina, his advisor, was stationed.

She saw him approaching and smiled warmly, but Bell didn't waste any time. With a relaxed smile, he called out to her:

"Eina, my dear advisor!"

...

...

As soon as his loud voice echoed through the Guild, everyone started paying more attention.

Eina Tulle, an elf with light brown hair and thin glasses, was always so attentive and dedicated, taking care of him since the beginning of his journey as an adventurer. But upon hearing that greeting, she was momentarily surprised. Bell had always been polite, but he rarely was so effusive, except for yesterday when he spoke with her. She blinked a few times before responding, trying to hide the slight blush that rose to her cheeks.

"Bell… you seem in a good mood today."

"Oh, maybe just a little," Bell replied, still with the same smile, though part of his enthusiasm was just a façade.

This was something Eina noticed. Bell was always someone who showed a bright and genuine smile when talking to her most of the time, so she knew his smile very well. But that smile was nothing like his usual animated smiles.

It seemed like a tired smile. Very tired.

He was forcing himself to show a smile to her.

Eina's heart was truly filled with concern. He had acted very differently when he talked to her yesterday about the Minotaur he had killed. The way he seemed not to care at all about having killed the Minotaur.

She had really hoped that the reason for his behavior yesterday was because of the near-death experience of facing a Minotaur. She hoped that when she saw him again, he would behave like always, the cheerful Bell who enjoyed talking to her and showed a bright smile.

However, that didn't seem to be the case. Maybe he just needed more time? She really hoped she was right.

"So, what brings you here so early? Are you already planning to return to the Dungeon?" Eina asked, while picking up some papers from the counter.

She had to make a considerable effort to respond this way and not ask if he was okay again. If she did ask, he would probably give an answer similar to the one he gave yesterday.

"Actually, I'm here for something a little different today. I need you to update my records."

She raised an eyebrow, curious.

"Your records? Did something happen?"

As soon as she asked, a ridiculous idea popped into Eina's mind. Bell was a level 1 adventurer. However, he had apparently been able to kill a Minotaur, a level 2 monster that adventurers who had just reached the same level had extreme difficulty dealing with, some even dying to the monster.

'It can't be, right?' She thought with great difficulty.

It had only been two weeks since he became an adventurer; it couldn't be what she was thinking.

Bell looked at her with a smile. This seemed to be a different smile from the tired one he had been giving. It looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself a bit at that moment. And as soon as Eina noticed his smile, she really wished it wasn't what she was thinking.

Please, let it not be that.

"I leveled up."

Fuck.

At that statement without hesitation, the adventurers who had been watching openly widened their eyes. Their mouths were so agape it seemed they might touch the floor.

Misha Flott, Eina's friend who was nearby, dropped the papers she was holding while looking incredulously at Bell.

Rose Fannett, a woman with long red hair and wolf ears who also worked at the Guild, was also surprised by such a statement. Her surprise was much less than the rest of the people's.

"…What did you say?" Eina asked again with a strange smile.

"I said I leveled up. I'm now level 2."

He handed the sheet to Eina, who took it with her hands trembling slightly. After looking, she couldn't deny it. He was indeed a level 2 adventurer.

"…"

There was a silence for a while.

And that silence was broken by Eina's shout.

"Level 2 in 2 weeks!?"


Bell wandered through the busiest and noisiest streets of Orario, but now, unlike at the Guild, he found himself in an area much less familiar to most adventurers. The architecture around him began to change, and the city's atmosphere, which had been immersed in the morning routine of adventurers and merchants, transformed. The buildings appeared more rustic, some made of worn wood and brittle bricks. The dawn light struggled to penetrate the darker alleys, and as Bell approached his destination, the sounds and smells changed as well.

The food stalls, which had previously exuded the aroma of fresh bread and sweets, were now replaced by dirty taverns filled with adventurers who hadn't left since the night before. Large men with tired or drunken looks, others skulking suspiciously around corners. It wasn't necessarily a dangerous area, but it wasn't the type of place Bell would normally frequent... at least, not the Bell from his first life.

He crossed the street confidently, his expression calm despite the murmurs and wary looks he received. This was one of Orario's most vibrant entertainment zones, known for both gambling and bars with questionable reputations. He paused briefly in front of a wooden sign hanging from a building. Worn by time and nearly illegible, it displayed the name of the establishment:

"Red Dragon Casino."

It was a relatively modest place by Orario standards, but still a casino frequented by mid-level adventurers looking not only for fun but also to quickly increase their earnings. Bell examined the facade for a moment before moving on.

"30,000 valis..." he murmured, thinking about the amount he had earned from the Minotaur's magic stone.

Although not an impressive sum considering the expenses for equipment and supplies, it could be more than enough to enter the casino. Bell didn't need "Luck"—the Development Ability that had helped him so much in his past lives—to ensure that he won at the games. He knew he could rely on his natural skill and knowledge, accumulated through countless regressions, to come out victorious. However, [Luck] was still a safety net, should things not go as expected.

He entered the casino and was met with a stifling and dark atmosphere. The smoke from cigars filled the air, mixed with the smell of alcohol and sweat. The environment was poorly lit, with oil lamps hanging from the ceiling and a few gaming tables scattered around the main hall. There was a counter to the left where some adventurers exchanged their valis for chips, and to the right, a large group gathered around a dice table, cheering and reacting to the results.

Bell surveyed the environment with a keen eye. He had been here in previous regressions and knew well what to expect from this place. The sound of cards being shuffled, the clinking of coins, and the murmur of gamblers created a constant and exciting symphony. In the background, a colorful wheel spun, and participants watched anxiously as a small ivory ball bounced between red, black, and green. It was the roulette game, one of the most popular in the casino.

He walked straight to the counter, exchanging all 30,000 valis he had for chips while observing the games around him. Poker was his priority, but he didn't want to miss any opportunities.

"That poker table..."

He murmured as his eyes focused on a particular group. He had played against those people in past lives. It wasn't a coincidence that they were there again, with their familiar faces and relaxed expressions. Bell smiled slightly. He knew a lot about those players, almost as if he could read their moves before they made them. One of them, a burly man with scars on his face and a hoarse laugh, was a retired adventurer who now dedicated himself to gambling.

His name was Ralf. In another life, Bell saw him lose everything after a bad bet against someone he shouldn't have tangled with.

Another, a woman named Lina, was known for her skill in card games, but her greed often led her to make poor decisions under pressure. She was quite attractive, with pink eyes and red hair.

The third person was someone Bell didn't like at all. Gray hair and black eyes, he also wore glasses. His name was Zanis Lustra, a level 2 adventurer and captain of the current Soma Familia.

The bastard responsible for the misery of the current Soma Familia, though the god was also to blame for doing nothing. He had addicted all the members of the Soma Familia, except for Liliruca, turning them into even bigger fools than they already were. Bell had been quite surprised the first time he saw him gambling in this casino.

He was definitely using the money from the Soma Familia's wine sales.

In short, he was a son of a bitch.

He smiled.

There were three other people at the table, whom Bell also knew, but they weren't very important.

Bell approached, analyzing the expressions and behaviors. He knew there was a substantial amount of money waiting to be won.

He pulled out a chair and sat down, tossing some chips onto the table with a confident smile.

"Oh, kid, are you sure you're in the right place?" Zanis asked when he saw Bell sit at the table.

Ralf and Lina also glanced at him, as did the other players.

"Yes, this is a poker table, right? It's a place to gamble money, so I'm in the right place."

Zanis was a bit surprised by the calm and confident response from the kid who couldn't be more than 15 years old. However, he smiled. Regardless of being a child or not, as long as he had money, he could gamble here. He wasn't going to complain about a bag of money walking up to him.

"I see. In that case, before we start a new hand, nice to meet you. I'm Zanis Lustra, captain of the Soma Familia."

Bell simply looked at him and ignored him, which made Zanis frown. When he was about to mention the kid's lack of respect, the other man started speaking.

"I'm Ralf, just Ralf."

"I'm Lina, sweetie."

"Nice to meet you, Ralf and Lina. I'm Bell Cranel."

Zanis stared at the kid. 'He ignored me when I introduced myself, but when the other two did, he gave his name? Is he messing with me?'

Zanis was irritated. Who did this kid think he was? He was going to teach him a lesson by taking all the money he had in a short time during the game.

"Wait..." a different voice spoke, making everyone else pay attention. "Bell Cranel...? White hair and red eyes... are you the boyfriend of the Sword Princess that everyone is talking about at the Adventurers' Guild?"

The question came from Linus, another adventurer. He was also a level 2 adventurer and was known for being a gambling addict who eventually lost everything. His temper was quite violent, but he seemed calm at the moment.

However, looking directly into his eyes, it seemed like he was... jealous?

"Well, is that what they're calling me?" Bell smiled as he answered. "I must say, the rumors have spread quickly in this area."

"Oh, are you really dating the Sword Princess?" Ralf asked, curious.

"I wonder. Am I?"

His answer seemed to infuriate Linus.

"Oh, so the cute kid here is actually a real player?" Lina asked with a seductive smile. "Kid, how old are you really?"

"Old enough to make you scream my name in bed, my dear."

Bell returned her smile with a rather unexpected response.

Lina blinked. She slowly opened her mouth, only to close it again. She couldn't find the words to respond. She had planned to tease him a bit. Given his appearance, she had assumed he would be shy, never expecting him to respond in that manner.

The other people at the table were also quite surprised by Bell's bold response. Zanis looked particularly confused as he stared at him with a strange expression.

Ralf, on the other hand...

"Hahahahaha!" He burst into laughter. "Well done, Lina, that's quite a response, kid!"

He found the boy quite entertaining.

"How about we stop the chit-chat and start the game already? We could have played three hands by now if you hadn't been talking so much."

Once again, it was Sera, a woman who appeared to be in her thirties. She seemed irritated by the delay in the game.

"I agree, let's get started." Drak's voice responded. He was a man also in his thirties.

"Alright, sorry about that," Bell apologized as he prepared himself.

"Shall we start the game?"

...

...

The game began.

The cards were dealt by the dealer, and Bell quickly fell into his routine. It wasn't difficult to predict the moves of these players. The repetition of the same patterns, the thoughtless choices at critical moments... to Bell, it felt like a game where he already knew all his opponents' moves. He won the first round, then the second, and before the players realized it, Bell had already accumulated a small fortune.

"Hey, kid..." Zanis began, frowning as he lost another round. "Aren't you playing a bit... suspiciously?"

He hoped to get Bell off the table quickly after the young man's disrespect. However, Bell kept winning non-stop. There was no way he could keep winning like that legitimately.

"Suspicious?" Bell raised an eyebrow, pretending to be surprised. "I'm just lucky today, Zanis. Maybe you should try improving your cards instead of accusing me like an idiot."

Zanis clenched his fists at that response. This kid was really messing with him, wasn't he?

Linus, sitting beside him, stood up, slamming his hands on the table with an irritated voice. "Nobody is that lucky, you little shit. You think you can come here and take all our money without consequences?"

Bell smirked mockingly, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed air.

"Luck is a funny thing, isn't it? Sometimes it's on your side, other times, it's not. Believe me, I've seen it all at this table... it's not me doing anything wrong."

Linus looked surprised by that response when Bell looked directly at him when he said the last part. But then, he quickly grew angry again.

"What the hell are you insinuating, kid?"

"I'm not insinuating anything. Why are you so angry?"

"Yeah, I agree with the kid. Why are you so upset, Linus?" Ralf commented while looking suspiciously at Linus.

To be honest, he also suspected Bell, but he was practically on his side. He hadn't seen him cheating in any way. However, before Bell arrived, Linus and Zanis were winning most of the hands. In fact, their moves were suspicious now that he thought about it.

Ralf cast a glance at Zanis, who only smiled in response. He didn't seem nervous, but that smile wasn't a good sign.

The players around were getting impatient. A growing murmur started among the onlookers surrounding the table, curious. The envy and frustration were palpable in the air.

"I play fair," Bell commented casually as he picked up another stack of chips. "But if you're afraid of losing more money, maybe it's better to stop now."

Bell's insinuation only made some of the other players even more annoyed. But before the situation could escalate into something more serious, Bell decided to end the game.

"Well, I think I've had enough fun here," he said, stacking his chips with a mischievous smile. "Time to try my luck elsewhere."

He got up from the table, ignoring the angry looks and accusatory whispers. Bell knew they wouldn't dare do more than that, especially in a place like this, where fights could easily be broken up by the casino's security.

However, just as he was about to take his chips and leave the poker table, a muscular hand grabbed his shoulder firmly.

"Where do you think you're going, kid?" It was Linus. "Do you really think you can walk away after accusing me of cheating? You were the only suspect!"

Bell sighed. This man was a real idiot.

"When did I accuse you of cheating? I just said I wasn't the wrong person at the table. You seem quite paranoid. Or maybe you really were cheating?"

Bell responded without turning around. However, he didn't need to turn around to imagine. Zanis was probably cursing Linus in his head at that very moment. The other players at the poker table began to look at Linus suspiciously, which only made Linus more irritated.

"Why the hell are you looking at me!? It was this kid who was cheating!"

"Well, I believe if Linus was really cheating, why did he stop winning when this kid showed up?" Zanis commented casually, drawing the attention of everyone.

"Yes, exactly! It was this kid who was cheating from the start!"

Bell was the only one who noticed the façade on Zanis's face.

Linus's hand tightened on Bell's shoulder.

"Let go of me."

Bell spoke calmly but with a certain firmness behind his words. He still hadn't turned to face Linus, but his tone made it clear that the boy was not in the mood for games.

Linus sneered, tightening his grip on Bell's shoulder. "Who do you think you are, giving me orders, kid?" he growled, his eyes filled with fury. "I saw you cheating, brat. You're not leaving here unscathed unless you hand over your chips."

The room seemed to brace for an explosion as people around began to move away, preparing for an inevitable fight. Ralf and Lina watched the tension build, while Zanis, off to the side, merely observed with a smirk. Linus was completely out of control, fueled by anger and jealousy over the rumors about Bell and the Sword Princess.

What the hell did this kid have that made the Sword Princess want to date him? Linus was determined to show this brat who was in charge. He had no idea how the boy had figured out that he and Zanis were cheating, but that didn't matter. Besides Ralf and that bitch, Lina, the others at the table seemed to suspect the kid more than him.

Even though Ralf was a retired level 3 adventurer, he had been retired for many years. He was at the middle of level 2, almost at the top. This kid was just a level 1 novice, so even if Ralf tried to help the brat, Linus believed he could handle both of them.

He tightened his grip even further.

Bell, however, remained silent. He sighed, taking his time, and finally turned his head slowly, his red eyes glowing in the dim light of the casino.

"I warned you, Linus..." he murmured, and at that moment, everything changed.

Suddenly, the air around Bell seemed to solidify. Linus, who had been ready to strike with fierce anger, felt something he had never experienced before. It was as if the world around him had stopped. The lights from the oil lamps hanging from the ceiling seemed to lose their brightness, the chaotic sounds of the casino began to fade, muffled, until they were nothing but a distant echo.

Linus blinked in confusion. What was happening? The heat of the room was replaced by a suffocating cold that froze him to the bone. His muscles began to stiffen, but not by his own will. It was as if something invisible, something terrifying, had gripped his neck, squeezing his throat in an unseen hold.

'What... what is happening?'he whispered to himself, trembling.

It was then that he felt it.

An overwhelming wave of murderous intent emanated from Bell, like an invisible shadow that completely enveloped him. It was as if a bloodthirsty beast was right behind him, ready to tear his flesh with sharp teeth. The atmosphere around seemed distorted, every second stretching into an eternity, and the air itself felt like a heavy, suffocating substance, hard to breathe.

Bell's gaze, which had seemed calm until then, was now unfathomable, like an abyss, deep and inescapable. Linus was drawn into that gaze like a puppet caught in the claws of something he could barely comprehend. His thoughts scrambled; he wanted to scream, but his voice was caught in his throat. His mouth was dry, and sweat began to run down his face despite the cold that enveloped him. Just a look... just a look was enough to destroy him.

'Why... why can't I move?' Linus thought in panic.

Time seemed to move strangely, as if it had frozen, yet at the same time it flowed in a painful slowness. Each second stretched, turning that brief moment into an eternity of fear.

For a moment, Linus saw flashes of something that shouldn't be there. A battlefield covered in blood, fallen bodies of gigantic monsters, with a solitary figure standing amidst all the carnage. He saw Bell, his white hair stained red, his eyes burning like fiery embers, devoid of any trace of humanity. Linus shuddered. No, that couldn't be what he was seeing... it was just his imagination, right?

Right?

And then, everything collapsed.

He lost complete control over his body.

Linus fell to the ground, his face pale, breathing rapidly and unevenly. His eyes were wide, fixed on Bell, but he could barely process what had just happened. The crushing fear that enveloped him made him feel as if he were facing death itself. His body trembled violently, and before he could contain himself, he felt warmth running down his legs. Moisture. He had urinated himself right there, in front of everyone.

"What... what are you...?" Linus stammered, his voice trembling. His eyes, once filled with rage, were now empty, overtaken by absolute terror.

The intensity of the murderous intent Bell exuded was something that Linus, nor anyone else around, could comprehend. To them, Bell still seemed like the same kid they had just met at the poker game, maybe a bit more confident than usual for confronting a level 2 adventurer.

But Linus... Linus was the only one who truly felt the abyss. He was the only one to see the monster hidden beneath the guise of a young adventurer. The "monster" that towered over the countless giant monster corpses he had never seen before.

Bell looked down at him with a slight smile playing on his lips, but without any real emotion behind it. He said nothing more; he didn't need to. Linus was finished; there was no fight left in him.

Zanis, Ralf, Lina, and all the others watched the scene with astonishment and confusion. What had happened here? They weren't sure. To them, it seemed like Linus had simply had a breakdown and collapsed on his own.

"You'd better be more careful about who you decide to challenge, Linus," Bell finally said, his voice sounding almost gentle but with undeniable firmness. "Next time... it might not just be your dignity that you'll lose."

Linus did not respond. He remained on the ground, unable to move, his mind trapped in the terror he had experienced.

Bell took a step forward, gathering all the chips still on the table and calmly putting them away. He walked in another direction of the casino, ignoring the suspicious looks and whispered discussions around him. As he left, the lights seemed to return to normal, the sounds of the casino began to fill the space once more, and time, which had seemed frozen before, resumed its normal flow.

But for Linus, time would never return to normal.

That kid...

He was much more than a mere adventurer.

...

Zanis watched the whole scene with an intrigued expression, while Lina, beside him, looked at the departing boy with a crooked smile on her lips.

"That kid... is something else, isn't he?" she murmured.

"Hahaha, indeed. Who would have thought that he would make a level 2 adventurer piss his pants with just a glance?" Ralf commented casually while watching the young man move on to another game.

Zanis also watched. He knew there was something very strange about that kid. Something he definitely needed to find out.

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

After leaving the poker table, Bell wandered through the casino and tried his hand at a few other games. His next stop was the roulette table, where he placed a few bets and won a considerable amount before moving on to a dice game, where, once again, luck seemed to be on his side.

However, as he had expected, after some time, the casino began to grow suspicious. Winning too much was frowned upon in places like that, and soon Bell was approached by one of the staff, a burly and grumpy man.

"Sorry, kid, but it looks like your luck has run out here," the man said, his tone clearly indicating that there was no room for discussion.

Even though he had won quite a bit, it wasn't as much as he had hoped. The staff member showed up sooner than anticipated; Bell had hoped to win at least 1 million Valis before being kicked out. From a distance, he could see the poker table he had been at. Zanis was still there, seemingly watching him with a smile.

'I see, so that's how it is. Enjoy while you can, you little shit.'

Bell shrugged, showing no surprise to the staff member. "It seems so," he replied calmly, before collecting his chips and heading to the counter to exchange his winnings. In the end, he walked away with an impressive sum, though not exorbitantly high.

From 30,000 Valis, he had multiplied it to around 470,000 Valis.

As he mentioned before, he had really hoped to make at least 1 million Valis before being kicked out. This casino wasn't as large as "El Dorado," for example. However, it would have been impossible for him to enter El Dorado with just 30,000 Valis. The bets there ranged in the millions.

This was the only place he could go with such a low amount of 30,000 Valis.

As he exited the casino, Bell took a deep breath of the evening air. It was already getting close to nightfall.

"That should be enough... for now."

He planned to take Hestia to the Hostess of Fertility that night. He had earned enough Valis to spend on food without worry.

"Come to think of it, the Loki Familia will be there too, won't they?"

Indeed, if he wasn't mistaken, that was the night he went to the Hostess of Fertility because of Syr. The Loki Familia had shown up a little later in the evening. Loki had probably heard the rumors about him and Aiz, so it might be a good idea to go there with Hestia...?

After thinking for a moment, he finally made up his mind.

"Well, who cares. I think it'll be a bit of fun."

It would be the first time he would be there with Hestia during this period, so he was curious.

"Alright, let's go."

He resumed walking, heading towards the Abandoned Church.


Hello everyone! This chapter didn't take as long as the last one, huh?

In this chapter, we saw Bell's status with some new Skills, although similar to the ones he had before. However, there's something new. What the hell is "Hunting Territory"? Well, tell me your theories. However, we won't find out what it is anytime soon...

Bell also enjoyed his time in the casino. And Zanis is there! What a surprise, isn't it? Of course not. That idiot will get what's coming to him... maybe. The main point of the casino is Bell's intent to kill. This is very important and will be explained later in the story, but I can give you a hint here.

Whenever Bell dies and goes back in time, all his skills and even his soul return to the state they were in at that time. There are only two things that don't return: his mind... and his Essence.

I intended to write more, covering Hostess of Fertility in this chapter as well, but I had already reached around 10k words, so I decided to finish with him leaving the Casino.

Anyway, that's it. Let me know what you think of this chapter and your theories about it!

See you in the next chapter, which I hope won't take as long to come out :)