Bell and Rye exited the dungeon to no one batting an eye at them. Which was understandable since the two weren't well-known around the city.
Rye seemed to breathe easier when arriving back on the surface. His near death still scared him but he was trying to keep a smile on his face.
Bell glanced at him and pulled the boy closer to him. "I'm gonna be keeping my eye on you from now on. Can't have you doing something stupid like that again."
Rye frowned as Bell dragged him to the guild. The boy was already dreading seeing Eina. That woman was like a broken record most of the time.
When they arrived Bell nearly had to drag Rye in. His feet were shuffling so he could move slowly. Bell sighed in indignation before looking down at Rye.
"Alright, what has you so scared that you don't want to go in here."
Rye looked away and mumbled something that Bell couldn't quite hear.
"What did you say?" He asked.
"Ms, Eina," Rye grumbled.
Bell blinked and let the words process in his mind. "The half-elf? You're scared of the half-elf?"
Rye nodded. "She's gonna yell at me." He grumbled.
Bell just rolled his eyes. "Well, you did do something dumb. Alright here's the deal, we'll cash in this stuff from the Minotaur and you'll take dungeon lessons from the guild. That way you're not running into something you don't know about."
"That still doesn't solve the Eina's gonna yell at me problem."
Bell ruffled the boy's hair. "You're just gonna have to man up and deal with it. Sometimes people are going to yell at you when you do stupid things."
"Yeah, but we can just like. Not tell her." Rye answered.
Bell sighed. "Rye, one of the bravest things a person can do is own up to their mistakes. Now come on, the more you drag your feet the longer it will take."
Rye groaned and marched up to Eina. The half-elf was at her desk talking with a pink-haired woman who had a teasing smile on her face.
The two turned their attention to Rye and Bell could hear the pink-haired woman gush on how adorable he looked.
"Note to self. Keep Rye away from her." Bell thought as Rye nervously twisted his foot from side to side.
Bell watched as Rye started talking to Eina. The half-elf's smile dropped lower and lower with each word Rye spoke. Until finally, her face was bright red with anger.
"YOU DID WHAT?!" Eina yelled.
Bell jumped back slightly at the volume and winced. "Now I see why he was scared of her."
For the next five minutes, Eina berated Rye while Bell stood back and watched. He felt a small twinge of guilt at sending the boy into her fury.
But Rye wouldn't learn if he didn't at least face some consequences of his actions.
After about another five minutes of Eina's lecture, Rye shuffled back to Bell like a kicked puppy. His head staring at the ground and shame.
"Happy now?" Rye grumbled.
Bell didn't respond and made his way to the teller's desk. "Let's just get you your money."
He arrived at the teller's desk and took out the Minotaur stone and the Minotaur horns. But then stopped, he looked at the Minotaur horns and wondered if they could be made into weapons.
"Maybe it's best I keep the horns with me and see what I can do about that." Bell mused as he dropped the monster stone inside the tray.
Rye grew confused about what Bell was doing but didn't say a word. Bell had been helping him so far and it didn't seem within his character to rob him.
Luckily for Bell, the teller didn't ask any questions on how he got the Minotaur stone. Be it because of his size or they didn't feel like asking questions. He was given the 50k valis nonetheless.
After getting his money he tossed it up in the air a few times before tossing it to Rye. The boy fumbled with the pouch before catching it. Shocked by the weight of it since he had never had this much money before.
"Don't spend it all in one place. Now walk up to Eina and ask for lessons on the first five floors of the dungeon."
This time Rye didn't offer any protest as he nervously shuffled back to Eina. The half-elf raised an eyebrow at the boy before he uttered something that made her face brighten.
With an eager nod, Eina ironed out the details before Rye walked back. "My lessons start tomorrow." He grumbled.
Bell ruffled his hair again. "Good job, now show me to this home of yours so I can take a look at your friend."
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The city of Orario was busy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Vendors shouting about good deals to be had at their stands. People going to lunch, parents taking their kids on a sightseeing journey of the city. Mothers buying fresh produce for dinner later.
Plus a nervous kid leading a boy not much older than him back to the orphanage of which he stayed to get his friend some help.
They passed through busy streets and empty alleyways. Deeper and deeper into the city they went. The area around them growing poorer and more devoid of life.
Bell grew slightly worried at how dirty the area around them was getting. Broken bottles and what seemed to be dried blood littered the sidewalk.
He scooted closer to Rye as they went deeper and deeper into what appeared to be a poorer section of the city.
"Alright, this is a little concerning." Bell thought to himself.
The deeper they went the more squalor Bell saw. But he kept his mouth shut, it wasn't his place to judge. But he couldn't help but feel a little bad for Rye.
Bell didn't know what street they were on but he knew it was like a maze. How did Rye even know how to get home in this maze?
Turning another corner Rye spoke. "Hey Bell, why didn't you sell those Minotaur horns?"
Bell glanced down before looking back up. "Well, I wanted to see if I could get a weapon made out of these. This way you'll have a decent weapon up to the middle floors."
Rye nodded as that made sense, but then his brow furrowed. "So you know a blacksmith then?"
Bell cringed slightly. "Uh, just wait a little bit and I'll get you the weapon."
"You don't know a blacksmith do you?" Rye deadpanned.
"Don't worry about it. In the meantime I want you to learn all you can from Eina."
"But she's scary."
"I don't care if she's scary, she knows what she's talking about. So while I'm getting this weapon made for you, you're going to sit in on those lessons and soak up every bit of knowledge she's offering."
Rye crossed his arms and grumbled. "Fine."
After exiting another alleyway Bell and Rye were on a straight cobblestone path. They walked down the street in silence and Bell noticed there weren't many people out and about.
"Squalor, not many people out in the streets. Just what exactly is this place?" Bell wondered.
He didn't get an answer as he and Rye arrived at a small city square. Inside the square was an old run-down church that looked on the brink of ruin. Made from crumbling brick and stone.
Bell noted that Rye's shoulder seemed to sag slightly, and his posture went from straight to hunched over.
But Bell kept his mouth shut. He didn't say a word about the place where he lived. Only asking a single question. "So is my patient inside?"
Rye gulped and quickly nodded. "Uh, yeah...yes."
Bell gestured to the door. "Lead the way then."
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Rye pushed open the heavy wooden door of the church with some difficulty. Even with a falna, he was still a kid after all, and a small one at that.
Bell followed behind him. Easily shutting the door behind him as Rye walked further inside. Bell took a look around, noticing flickers of sunlight shining through tiny holes in the ceiling.
The sanctuary was empty as all the pews were ripped out. Or laid broken in some far-off corner out of the way.
Ornate-colored windows like the walls. Colored glass of red, blue, and orange. Pictures on them depicted the gods. Some were cracked while others were not.
"Guess you take small mercies where you can get them." Bell thought to himself.
From a door off to the left of the sanctuary, a short woman with long black hair that reached down to her lower back entered. She wore a pale gray dress that was dusty and wrinkled. Her face was gaunt with her sunken cheeks.
Around her shoulder was a long pink sweater that draped down to her legs. More similar to a gown than a sweater.
The woman looked tired, pale, and malnourished. Bell surmised that she was probably skipping meals to help feed the children.
Bell started to make a mental checklist in his head on how to help these people. Step one was to help feed them. Scratch that step one was the check on his patient. Step two would be to feed them.
"Ah Rye, you're back." The woman then turned to Bell. "And who are you?" She softly asked.
"Maria this is Bell. He's a doctor and he's willing to take a look at Fena." Rye said introducing Bell.
The woman seemed to grow even paler at the mention of the word doctor. A cold sweat appearing on her brow as she nervously gulped. "A-and how much do you charge for your services, Doctor Bell?"
Bell raised his hand slightly. Attempting to calm and placate the woman. "Rye misspeaks, while yes I am a doctor in a sense. I'm more of a combat healer. But I do know how to treat sickness as well."
"So you're a doctor but not a doctor at the same time?" Maria asked doubting Bell's credentials.
Bell nodded. "Yes ma'am. I used to treat people back in my village when sickness broke out. But I more specialized in the combatant field. Just felt like it was my calling."
Maria shook her head slowly. "I see, and how much do you charge?" She asked once more.
"Nothing ma'am, I went into the medical field to help people. Not charge them money they couldn't pay for my services."
Maria still eyed him warily but relented. Bell noted how her shoulders seemed to relax slightly before she stepped aside.
"Fena's this way, please follow me. Eye go get yourself cleaned up and ready for dinner. Goddess Hestia will be back from her job soon."
Rye nodded before his eyes sparkled. "Oh Maria, look how much I made today."
The boy quickly held up the pouch filled with Valis causing Maria's eyes to widen and fill with worry. "Rye! Where did you get all that money?"
Rye fearfully pointed at Bell. "He gave it to me."
Maria's head snapped back to Bell. Despite being malnourished and exhausted Bell could see a fire behind her eyes. "And what did he have to do for you to give him that money?"
Bell looked down to Rye whose eyes widened in fright. "Are you going to tell her, Or am I?
Rye gulped and shuffled his foot. "Y-you can tell her. I-I'll g-go clean up for dinner."
Rye then scurried off and went deeper into the church leaving Bell and Maria alone in the sanctuary.
The caretaker looked at Bell with a raised brow expecting an answer. "Well, what did he do?"
"Went down to floor five by himself and ran into a Minotaur. I jumped in and saved him then cashed in the Minotaur stone and gave him the cash." Bell readily explained.
Maria's eyes narrowed as she examined Bell. Noting the Minotaur horns hanging by his belt. "And those horns, what are your plans for those?"
"Find a blacksmith and have them make a weapon for Rye. Something to last him until he reaches the middle floors."
Maria lightly bit the bottom of her lip. A habit she had due to nerves. "And you're not trying to scam him?"
"Why would I have put myself at risk to a Minotaur if I wanted to scam him? Also, the kid barely has two coins to run together, no offense."
Maria shut her eyes and took a calming breath. She was grilling Bell too much on suspicions that didn't exist. She knew she needed some sleep soon. "My apologies, please come with me. I will show you to Fena."
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Maria led Bell deeper into the orphanage. The two were silent as their steps echoed through the empty hallway. Bell into more of the church's interior as he made his way through.
The stone inside looked mostly the same as the outside. Ruins and squalor, everywhere Bell looked that was all he saw.
"How can people live like this? Why isn't anyone doing anything to help?" Bell wondered. His thoughts were cut short as Maria opened a door to their left.
Inside, lying on a bed with a few sheets. Was a small Chienthrope girl. Her hair was a cream blonde along with her ears. Her skin unnaturally pale with a thin layer of sweat. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was heavy. With a small wet compress over her forehead.
"Alright, visual observation is already off to a bad start." Bell thought as he approached.
Maria stood off in the corner and called out. "Fena, there's a man here who's going to take a look at you. He'll make you all better." She softly cooed.
Fena groaned in response as she took in a wheezing breath. Before coughing a few times. Maria bit her lip again as Bell leaned down next to the bed. He didn't pay any mind to how bare the room was.
"Hey, Fena, my name's Bell, and I'm a doctor of sorts. Your friend Rye brought me by to check up on you. So make sure to thank him when I get you all better." Bell softly said.
The girl groaned again. Too weak to even bother with words. Bell placed his hand on her forehead and immediately felt the heat from it.
"Trouble speaking and high temperature. Already off to a bad start." Bell thought.
He took his hand away from Fena's head and looked down. Despite having three sheets over her Fena was shivering.
"Chills as well, well there's no spots so it's not the pox. So at least there's some good news there, hmm let me try something."
Bell moved slightly to better face Fena. He lifted her head up slightly to help her breathe better. "Alright Fena I want you to try and take a nice deep breath for me. Can you do that?"
Fena nodded and open her mouth. She attempted to take a deep breath. But after inhaling a wet hacking cough was all that left her lips.
Bell frowned and laid her head back down. Gently patting her shoulder as she finished coughing. "Now Fena I have one more question, does it hurt when you swallow?"
Fena nodded and Bell sighed. He gave the young girl a smile as he stood up. "Alright, Fena I'll be right back. Don't worry I'll make sure you're all better."
Fena groaned once more as Bell walked over to Maria. The caretaker looked like she could barely stand to see Fena like this. Her exhaustion was palpable and Bell knew he'd have to get her to sit sometime soon.
"So, what is it?" Maria asked, picking at her nails in the meantime.
Bell ushered her to a far-off corner. Maria followed waiting for Bell's diagnosis. "Well, from what I'm able to gather so far I believe it's atypical pneumonia. Obviously, I'll need tools to confirm that theory. But it's probably in your best interest if I take her to the clinic. Because if it is atypical pneumonia she can die."
Maria gasped before placing her hand on her forehead. She bit her lip and let out an anxious sigh. "And there are ways to treat her yes?"
Bell nodded. "Oh yes, Airmid can probably whip up a potion that'll fight all that nasty bacteria. But it'll probably take some time for Fena to heal."
"How long will she be in the clinic?" Maria shakily asked.
"Anywhere from a week to a few months. Recovery varies depending on the person. But with constant care, Fena should be back to her old self in no time." Bell calmly explained.
Maria took another shaky sigh. "A-and how much will all of this cost?"
Bell could see the worry on the woman's face. From what Rye had told him he knew this place had barely enough money to keep them afloat. So a prolonged stay at Dian's Clinic would financially ruin them even further.
Luckily for her Bell did have some leverage over Dian though. "You just let me worry about that. Dian owes me at least a few favors with the money I'm saving him."
Maria wiped the shed tears from her eyes. Before looking over to Fena. The girl looked so small and pathetic. Not like her usual bright and cheery self Maria was used to seeing. She needed help and it wasn't one Maria knew how to provide.
"And you promise she'll get better?"
Bell nodded. "Airmid will make her all better. I promise."
"Then take her, please." Maria quietly begged.
"I will, but you need to come with me. You're malnourished and exhausted. I can put you and Fena in a shared room."
Maria shook her head. "Oh no, I can't do that. The kids here will need me. Don't worry I'm fine."
Bell knew Maria was not fine. From the looks of things, she could barely stand. "You're not fine, but I can't exactly force you to go. However, I do want you to take a moment and think of what will happen if you collapse. You think one of the other kids will be able to drag you all the way to help. Or be able to find someone willing to do so?"
Most of that could be solved easily by Rye finding him. But Bell was banking on Maria being too tired to even realize that. Call it bad faith, but the woman needed help and Bell knew he had the ability to help her.
Maria's shoulders sagged as she sighed. "Alright I'll go, but what about the kids? Or goddess Hestia? She'll be worried to come back here and find no one."
"We'll bring them with us, and Rye can go tell Lady Hestia about the situation. Besides you won't be at the clinic long. Just enough for you to eat some food and get some rest. After about a day or two I'll discharge you."
Maria nodded. "Ok, the kids will stay with us. Until Lady Hestia gets off her shift...at the potato stand."
Maria put the back of her hand to her forehead and leaned against the wall. Her breathing was long and shallow. She looked about ready to pass out.
"Do you think you can walk to the clinic?" Bell asked bracing Maria.
Maria shook her head. "No, I feel very...very faint all of a sudden."
"It's because your body is calming down. All the adrenaline that's kept you up is starting to leave your system." Bell explained.
"Oh...ok. I'll just...rest here...for a minute, take Fena first. Then come back for me."
Bell shook his head before throwing Maria over his back. "I can carry both of you," Bell stated.
Maria wrapped her arms around Bell's neck as the boy walked over to Fena. He crouched down and picked the girl up in his arms. Making sure to keep the sheets wrapped around her.
The little girl curled into Bell. Seeking the warmth he gave as the fever started to make her delirious.
"Alright, off we go." Bell thought.
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To those walking down Orario's Main Street, they saw a strange sight. A boy, no older than sixteen. Had a woman in her early thirties on his back. And a small sickly little girl in his arms. Two boys were at his sides, following him wherever he went.
The bystanders gave him a wide berth as it was clear to all those around the girls were not well. So Bell continued on his walk, unabashed by anyone in the street.
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15 minutes Bell arrived back at Dian's clinic. It was close to 5:00 pm. It would be time to take Airmid home in a few hours. But right now Bell would need her help.
"Hey Rye, go and tell your goddess what's happened. I'll make sure everyone else is taken care of." Bell told the boy.
Rye nodded. "Right, I'll be back soon." The boy then ran off down the street. Turning down a corner and leaving Bell's sight.
The boy then entered the clinic. Seeing Airmid sitting in her chair. Her eyes filled with confusion when she saw Bell.
He was supposed to be in the dungeon. So why in the world was he carrying people to her clinic?
Airmid was quick to stand up and make her way over to Bell. Her doctor face as Bell would later come to call it was on.
"What are their ailments?" Airmid asked, the back of her hand touched Fena's forehead before she pulled it back.
"I think the girl has atypical pneumonia and the woman on my back is malnourished and exhausted." Bell quickly explained.
Airmid furrowed her brow. "Doesn't your magic rejuvenate stamina?"
Bell nodded. "It does, but it won't replace the strength or weight the woman lost due to hunger. Also, I was more worried about Fena, if left untreated she could die."
Airmid nodded and gestured to a room. "Follow me and put her in here. This room has two beds so the two can stay together."
Bell looked down at the blonde half-elf who only came up to his hip. The boy looked around the hospital nervously. "Hey Roux, go sit on one of the couches. I'll be back in a second."
The half-elf nodded before shuffling to one of the couches. He sat down on one before nervously looking around. His knee bounced up and down as he shakily grabbed one of the books.
Bell then followed Airmid to the room she pointed out. Airmid had already opened the door and held it, waiting for Bell.
The boy walked in and gently set Fena on one of the beds. Before putting the barely conscious Maria on the other.
The second the older woman's head hit the pillow she was out like a light. Bell was gentle when tucking her in.
He could see Airmid in the corner of his eye examining Fena. Once she was done she gestured for Bell to come outside. Bell took one last look at the two before heading back into the hallway.
He gently shut the door behind him as Airmid turned around. "Well, you were right. Fena has atypical pneumonia. How were you able to guess that without any tools?"
Bell looked over to Roux who was reading the book he had gotten off the table. Then looked back at Airmid who was expecting an answer. "I've seen it before in my village. My master was the one who treated it. These were in the early days of when I first started training, but I knew what the symptoms looked like."
"You guessed, didn't you?" Airmid asked, a slight tone of amusement in her voice.
Bell nervously smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that too."
Airmid just shook her head. "Alright, I'll get started on some medicine to help make her better. What are your plans for the meantime?"
"Go and talk to our god. There's a few things we need to discuss." Bell answered.
Airmid nodded. "Alright, I'll see you in a bit."
Bell then turned on his heel and started making his way to the stairs. Before he reached them Airmid had noticed two orange Minotaur horns hanging from his belt.
"Where did you get those Minotaur horns!" She worriedly asked.
"I killed one," Bell answered ascending the stairs.
By the time Bell reached the top stair Airmid's brain realized what Bell had said. "YOU DID WHAT?!" She shrieked.
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The door to Dian Cehct's office closed behind Bell as the old god was playing with Valis on his desk. Upon hearing the door open and close he looked up and saw Bell standing there.
"Yes, what is it, boy?" The old god asked.
"We need to talk," Bell stated.
The old god raised an eyebrow. "Oh, about what?"
Bell grabbed a chair and sat down. "A few things. The main one being the people I just brought in here will not be charged for anything."
Dian dropped the Valis he was holding and looked at Bell dead in the eyes. "And what makes you think you have any authority on who I will and will not charge?"
"Because I'm saving you two million valis a month. 24 million valis a year, you owe me a few favors for that reason alone."
Dian raised his brow. "And what is the other reason I owe you a favor?"
"Because I just killed a Minotaur, and with how my stats were before I came here. I have a feeling I already leveled up. Now you can spin the story however you want. Because in the end, you'll be able to claim to have the adventurer who leveled up the fastest. Think of all the more prestige you can acquire if you spread that story." Bell explained.
He was trying to tempt Dian by exploiting his greed. Something his master taught him. Not even a second later Dian's eyes turned to Valis signs. The thought of extra profit while parading around Bell filled him with glee.
"Very well boy, I'll take your deal." His face then hardened. "But if you ever try to extort me again like you just did. You will not like the consequences. Am I understood boy?" The old god's voice had dropped an octave and turned serious.
Bell raised his hands in a passive manner. "Understood."
Dian then spun his finger. "Now turn around. I'm going to update your status."
Bell took off his shirt and turned in his chair. His bare back faced Dian as the old god pricked his finger on a letter opener. The divine blood touched Bell's back and unlocked his falna.
Bell Cranel
Dian Cecht familia
Level one
Strength: SSS1337- SSSS1650
Endurance: SS1019- SSS1312
Dexterity: SS1098- SS1200
Agility: SSS1337- SSSS1572
Magic: SSS1450- SSSS1720
Skills:
Will of Asclepius
Magic:
Healing Magic: User has the rare healing magic. It requires no chant and uses mana rather than mind. It can heal any and all wounds except that of curses. Removes all the bodies limiters as a result.
Dian's eyes nearly bulged out of his head seeing those stats. "Great divine stars! My boy these numbers are quite literally out of this world! That crazy woman has something to do with it! I just know it!"
"They can't be that high. My beginning stats were culminated over five years."
"My boy no one has ever gotten to SS before! Much less SSS and SSSS!" Dian bemoaned. "Divine stars you're the diamond in the rough of diamonds!" The god cheered.
Bell sweat dropped as Dian hurriedly leveled up his Falna. Once that was done he started looking at Development Abilities. His brow furrowed in confusion as he saw something he had never seen before.
"Boy, do you know what Medical Berserker can do? That beast of woman didn't have this, did she?" Dian asked.
Bell quirked a brow and turned his head. "Medical Berserker? No, I've never heard of it. Also, you're a god, shouldn't you know what this is?"
Dian waved his hand. "Bah don't mind that. As long as that woman didn't have it."
Bell rolled his eyes and turned back around. "So what does it do exactly?"
Dian took a closer look at it. "Well from what I can make out. It supposedly adds an increase to your strength and magic. My gods you will bring me so much prestige."
Bell stopped himself from rolling his eyes again. "Well I can heal from poisons so I have no use for Abnormal Resistance. Hunter could be useful for spotting monsters, but I think I'll go for Medical Berserker. Sounds like it'll do me better combat-wise."
Dian nodded and tweaked with Bell's Falna once more. After finishing his work Dian copied the stats down and handed them to Bell.
The boy took the parchment, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.
Bell Cranel
Dian Cecht familia
Level one- Level two
Strength: SSSS1650- I0
Endurance: SSS1312- I0
Dexterity: SS1200-I0
Agility: SSSS1572- I0
Magic: SSSS1720- I0
Skills:
Will of Asclepius
Development Ability:
Medical Berserker: I
Magic:
Healing Magic: User has the rare healing magic. It requires no chant and uses mana rather than mind. It can heal any and all wounds except that of curses. Removes all the bodies limiters as a result.
"Huh, looks like I finally reached Level Two." Bell mused. The boy couldn't stop the smile from spreading on his face. "I wonder if Master would be proud of me."
He then shook his head. "Probably not, she'd say good work. Now get back to training as you could be better."
Bell chuckled as he crumbled up the paper and lit it on fire from a nearby candle. "But she's right, I can be better. I will be better, that way I can save as many people as possible."
He tossed the flaming paper into the trash. Hearing Dian let out an annoyed groan. "Great now my office is going to smell like smoke and ash!"
Bell shook his head. "Sorry about that, so when should I report my level up? If I report it now no one would believe I broke a record."
Dian stroked his beard as he sat back down. "Hmm, wait a month. Maybe a month and a half. Then report it, that way you won't be seen too poorly. Still poorly nonetheless, but not so poor as to where I don't get prestige."
Bell sighed and nodded. "Alright then, but remember your end of the bargain. The people I brought in don't get charged."
Dian waved the boy off. "Yes, yes. Now shoo, I have money to count."
With another shake of his head, Bell put his shirt back on and walked back downstairs.
Well, another chapter has arrived, and this time Bell has busted stats. Anyway, Bell takes on a pseudo-brotherly role to some orphans and lies to heal people.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you all later.
