Bell's Eternal Odyssey: The Last Tale of the Infinite Regressor

by ZdaTTy

Fate can go to hell. After countless failed attempts to save everyone, Bell decides to do the one thing he's never done all the times he's gone back to the beginning: enjoy life to the full, regardless of the chaos his actions may cause.

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - Hostess of Fertility

Hostess of Fertility

The owner, Mia Grand, opened the pub after she retired as an adventurer. The pub serves citizens during the afternoon and adventurers at night. The menu and prices vary between the two times.

Hostess of Fertility is located on a brick-lined street. It's a two-story stone building with the depth of a well-maintained inn. As it's situated along Western Main Street, it's often packed with customers.

The front entrance has a set of double doors with wooden carvings decorating the frame. These carvings can be seen in various places around the front of the pub. The Hostess of Fertility sign is visible to the left of the entrance, as well as on a hanging board displaying a crossed fork and knife.

The pub was especially busy that night, with laughter, cheers, and chatter filling the air. However, one table, in particular, seemed to be enveloped in a tense atmosphere.

The group from the Loki Familia, led by the fiery-tempered, red-haired goddess herself, was gathered around mugs of beer and plates of food. What was meant to be a celebration of another successful dungeon raid had turned into a heated debate about a certain white-haired boy.

Loki, her cheeks slightly flushed from the drink, raised her voice for yet another round of complaints.

"I still can't believe this nonsense, Aiz-chan. How could you fall for that stupid trick? Now there are rumors everywhere that you're dating that brat!"

Aiz, the Sword Princess, sat quietly, eating as if her goddess's words didn't faze her. But deep down, she seemed to be lost in thought. She knew it was all a misunderstanding, but still, she couldn't help but feel a bit confused by how quickly things had spiraled out of control.

"He said he would teach me something… so I thought it was worth a try," Aiz replied in her calm, soft voice.

Was she pouting?

She figured that if he could truly teach her something to make her stronger, then it didn't matter what people thought. However, she didn't expect rumors about her and Bell to spread all over Orario just one day after that display at the Guild.

"Teach you? Teach YOU?" Loki nearly spat out her drink. "You're a First-Class Adventurer, Level 5! What the hell could that brat possibly teach you? Obviously, he tricked you!"

Bete Loga, the werewolf of the Familia, scoffed, crossing his arms with a look of disdain.

"Exactly. You really believed that kid had some secret wind technique? He's probably laughing behind your back!"

"Calm down, Bete," Finn Deimne, the leader of the Loki Familia, intervened diplomatically. "We didn't see the whole fight, so we can't be sure what happened. We only saw the end, and the kid was on top of the Minotaur, killing it with his own hands."

Finn's measured tone managed to cool the mood a bit, but not enough to end the complaints. The real issue wasn't just the supposed "teaching," but also the fact that rumors about Aiz and Bell were spreading all over Orario. And that infuriated Loki.

It wasn't enough that she had met the god of that adventurer who died to the Minotaur on the 7th floor and had to pay him compensation to keep quiet about it.

"Do you really think he could teach Aiz-chan anything, Finn?" Loki asked, narrowing her eyes.

Finn shrugged.

"You never know. He's a Level 1 adventurer who killed a Minotaur alone. Plus, let's not forget that, in the old days, people fought monsters without the Falna that you gods started giving mortals in exchange for joining your Familias."

"Don't start with those old legends now."

"They're not just legends, Loki," Finn replied with a small smile.

Loki stared at him in silence before downing her entire drink in one gulp.

"Well, if we're talking about legends, the Argonaut one is the most famous, isn't it?" Tiona, the Amazon, chimed in cheerfully.

"Do you really have to bring that up at every opportunity?" Tione, Tiona's twin sister, sighed.

"But it's a good story!" Tiona retorted. "Plus, even though there's no record of Argonaut's appearance, most stories say he had snow-white hair."

"And? You're not going to say that adventurer is the reincarnation of Argonaut or something, are you?" Tione questioned.

"Of course not," Tiona replied calmly. "But it would be really amazing if that were the case, wouldn't it?"

A hero from ancient times reincarnating in the present day? It certainly sounded like a story Tiona would love.

As Tiona chatted casually with her sister, another person who had remained quiet finally spoke up.

"I know the boy killed the Minotaur, and that's already an impressive feat, especially for someone at his level," said Gareth Landrock, the dwarf of the Familia, while taking another swig of his beer. "But these rumors are the real problem now. It's dangerous for the Familia's reputation if this continues, right? And it's also an issue for Aiz herself, isn't it?"

In truth, Aiz didn't seem to care much about the rumors. She neither liked nor disliked them; she simply wasn't concerned with the whole situation.

Tiona Hiryute laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

"Who knows, Aiz? Maybe you've found someone who can really teach you something, even if they're weaker. Sometimes knowledge doesn't depend on strength. Besides, the captain himself said that people used to fight monsters without relying on Falna!"

Tione rolled her eyes. "Or maybe it's just some kid trying to impress a pretty girl."

Aiz doubted that. She didn't feel that Bell was trying to impress her. He just seemed to be enjoying the situation.

Riveria, the wise and serious elf of the group, had been sitting in silence until Loki, perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, turned to her with a mischievous grin.

"And what do you think, Mama? That perverted brat kissed you once, so you must have a strong opinion about him."

Riveria, who had remained calm until now, felt her face immediately flush at the mention of that humiliating event.

"I told you not to bring that up!"

Her firm voice silenced the table for a moment, until Loki, fearful of being the target of the elf's wrath, let out an innocent whistle and looked away.

Lefiya, sitting next to Aiz, also seemed deeply affected by the rumors.

"This is unacceptable. It wasn't enough that he tainted Riveria-sama, and now he's after Aiz-sama too? He shouldn't even be allowed near her," the young elf muttered, clenching her fists with an expression of disapproval.

For Lefiya, Aiz was an untouchable figure, and the thought of a low-level adventurer getting close to her was simply inconceivable. Much less that damn pervert.

But before anyone could say anything else, the pub owner, Mia Grand, appeared at the table with a tray full of mugs of beer. Her amused gaze swept over the group as she set the drinks down.

"Still talking about the Sword Princess's boyfriend, huh?"

The atmosphere at the table changed instantly. Loki, who was already reaching for another mug, nearly spilled her drink at the comment.

"B-Boyfriend? I already told you, my Aiz-chan doesn't have a boyfriend! It's just stupid rumors!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the pub and drawing even more curious stares toward their table.

Mia let out a hearty laugh. "If you say so, Loki. But it seems like everyone here is thinking otherwise."

With that, Mia left.

Loki, her face red with both anger and alcohol, slammed her mug down on the table and stood up again, this time with determination.

"If I see that brat again, I swear I'll take him down!"

But at that exact moment, the pub door creaked open audibly, causing all the conversations in the room to suddenly stop. The soft light from the lanterns outside cast a shadow at the entrance, and all eyes turned to the figure who had just walked in.

The atmosphere grew tense.

The Loki Familia table, along with Mia, looked toward the door, and there, standing in the doorway, was none other than the white-haired, red-eyed boy.

...

...

Bell Cranel entered the pub wearing a simple black outfit, without any armor or visible battle equipment. His casual appearance stood in stark contrast to the typical image of an adventurer in action.

Beside him, the woman looked equally at ease. The goddess wore her signature short white dress, adorned with blue ribbons that cinched her bust, giving the outfit a slightly youthful and unpretentious air. Her black hair was tied into two long ponytails that swayed as she walked next to Bell. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and tranquility, and her warm smile lit up her face.

Hestia seemed completely oblivious to the rising tension in the atmosphere, simply happy to be on a relaxed outing with Bell.

They both entered the pub without noticing the stir their arrival had caused. Conversations momentarily ceased, and curious, hostile glances quickly shifted toward the duo, especially from the table where the Loki Familia was gathered.

...

...

The silence that had fallen over the pub was shattered by Loki's voice, who, upon recognizing the boy, pointed an accusing finger at him and shouted at the top of her lungs:

"YOU!"

Bell, standing near the entrance, stared at Loki for a second before breaking into a playful grin, as if he had been expecting exactly this reaction.

"Hey, Loki. Are you all having fun?"

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXXxX

Moments Earlier.

Hestia, walking alongside Bell through the illuminated streets of Orario, wore a thoughtful and suspicious expression. Ever since she heard those ridiculous rumors about Aiz Watz... Aiz Wallen... Aiz Whateversen, the damn Sword Princess and Bell, she couldn't stop wondering what the hell was going on.

That girl, Aiz Wallenstein—yes, she finally remembered the right name, although she preferred to mess it up on purpose just to express her disdain—had gotten involved in this "game" in a way Hestia didn't understand. Why would someone like her, such a famous and seemingly distant adventurer, get involved with Bell? And why had Bell never mentioned the exact reason for this?

Of course, Hestia had heard the rumors saying that the Sword Princess had found a boyfriend with white hair and red eyes. It didn't take much thought to know they were talking about Bell, so the first thing she did when she got back from work was to ask him about those ridiculous rumors.

Sure, Bell had been quite vague when explaining the situation earlier. He only said it was all just a prank, a misunderstanding that arose after his fight with the Minotaur when he and Aiz had to go to the Guild. Aiz had to go with him to confirm that the Magic Stone from the Minotaur belonged to Bell since he was the one who killed the monster.

Hestia believed in Bell; of course she did! She could tell if he was lying or not, just like all the other gods. But there was still something strange about the whole story. How had that Sword Princess decided to participate in Bell's "game"?

Moreover, since when was Bell capable of pulling off that kind of prank? She doubted it. Until recently, he had been shy and cute. However, he had been acting a bit differently since he woke up, but she doubted he had changed enough to make such a prank on purpose.

So, only one option remained.

'Is this Aiz trying to steal my Bell?' Hestia thought, her eyes half-closed in a mix of jealousy and concern.

Bell, still being the shy boy she knew, certainly wouldn't have the courage to do something like that on his own, so... it had to be her doing! Maybe she was one of those cold women who seduce heroes and then disappear, leaving a trail of broken hearts.

'Or is she taking advantage of Bell's innocence?'—the thought made Hestia's heart race, a mix of protectiveness and jealousy burning within her.

It wasn't just a matter of trust. It was the fact that, as she had mentioned before, ever since Bell woke up and returned from that fight against the Minotaur, he seemed... different. He was more confident, more self-assured. Calling her by name instead of "Goddess," and even acting more at ease, as if something inside him had changed.

Hestia sighed. She didn't want to be paranoid, but the persistent feeling that something was amiss wouldn't let her be at peace. She had always been very protective of Bell, and the mere fact that someone like Aiz Wallenstein, with all that aura of perfection and unattainability, was somehow involved with him made her deeply uncomfortable.

As they walked, the goddess glanced to the side at Bell. He looked calm, showing no concern for the curious looks he attracted. Hestia knew he was enjoying all this confusion, but that didn't help her feel any calmer. Still, his little smile melted away any anger she might have had.

'Ah, Bell... you're so easy to forgive.'

Finally, as they turned a corner, the Hostess of Fertility came into view. The pub was as lively as ever, its solid stone facade lit by the lights shining through the windows and by the lanterns adorning the brick street. Hestia took a moment to observe the two-story building. To anyone looking from the outside, it was just another night in Orario, with adventurers and citizens drinking and celebrating. But she knew that inside that tavern, something else awaited.

"Here we are," Bell said, smiling as he stopped in front of the carved wooden doors.

He had won about 470,000 Valis at the casino. So there was more than enough money for them to enjoy the night. Although Hestia had been a bit worried when he mentioned he would gamble at a casino, she was very happy when he showed how much he had won.

After all, that [Luck] skill is really good, huh? Maybe he could win even more money!

As she thought about this, her mind returned to thoughts about Aiz. She shook her head and tried to focus on the present.

'Right. Now I just need to focus on dinner and enjoy.' She tried to convince herself that tonight could be peaceful, that the rumors would amount to nothing more than gossip, and that deep down, she and Bell would always be together, no matter who showed up.

But the atmosphere of anticipation wouldn't leave her completely. After all, even if she was trying to calm down, Hestia couldn't shake the feeling that sooner or later, she would have to face the name Aiz Wallenstein again—and the fact that Bell was somehow at the center of it all.

When they pushed open the doors of the Hostess of Fertility, a heavy silence fell over the pub. All eyes immediately turned to them.

"YOU!"

And there, standing next to Bell, Hestia realized that any hope of a quiet night was about to vanish.

...

...

...

The atmosphere in the Hostess of Fertility was visibly tense. Although the pub was crowded and the usual noise of conversations and laughter prevailed, one table stood out in particular, where the Loki Familia was gathered. Loki, the goddess with red hair and a mischievous smile, was especially loud that night, partly due to the considerable amount of beer she had already consumed.

The sudden entrance of Bell Cranel and Hestia had thrown more fuel on the fire. The goddess Loki, with her cheeks flushed from alcohol, practically jumped out of her chair, pointing directly at Bell and shouting with an intensity that echoed throughout the pub:

"YOU!"

Her gaze was filled with anger, but also a certain cruel amusement, as if she was eager to confront the young adventurer. The entire pub fell silent for a brief moment, all eyes turning to the scene unfolding before them. Bell, standing next to Hestia, looked bewildered, but soon smiled slightly, as if he had been expecting an explosive reaction from Loki.

"Hey, Loki. Are you all having fun?" Bell replied casually, which made the goddess's face turn even redder — this time with genuine anger.

"How dare you show up here, you brat?!" Loki shouted, shaking her finger at him. "You have a lot of nerve setting foot in this place while I'm here! You... you... perverted brat!" The last word came out as a venomous accusation.

Bell's face seemed to show a bit of shock at such an explosion. Of course, he had expected something like this, but...

"Perverted? Me?"

"You're going to deny it?!"

Hestia, who had been wearing a tense smile until now, immediately jumped to Bell's defense, her eyes shining with indignation. She stepped forward, pointing her finger at Loki with equal intensity.

"Hey, don't you dare call Bell-kun a pervert!" Hestia shouted back, her cheeks puffing up like a child about to explode.

Loki raised her eyebrows, clearly enjoying Hestia's reaction.

With a mischievous smile, she retorted, "Oh, I see. Of course, you're his goddess. He hasn't done anything wrong, you say? He didn't tell you what he did with Mama? He kissed our elf the moment he woke up after we took care of him! Plus, he also flirted with me! If that's not being a pervert, I don't know what is!"

Some people were surprised by the mention of Bell flirting with Loki. Strange looks were directed at him.

Hestia blinked in surprise for a second but quickly regained her composure. She crossed her arms, stamping her foot on the ground as her gaze became increasingly fierce.

"That's a lie! Bell-kun would never do something so... so bold without reason! You're just making things up because you're drunk! Besides, it was your children's fault he ended up encountering a Minotaur in the upper floors!"

Hestia's provocation seemed to hit a nerve with Loki. The red-haired goddess leaned forward, narrowing her eyes defiantly.

"Oh, is that so? Then why don't you ask your 'Bell-kun' about it, huh? I'm sure he has a lot to say about it!"

Bell, who had been listening to the exchange, looked visibly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. He opened his mouth to intervene, but before he could say anything, Hestia stepped forward again, and then it happened.

Hestia was about to speak again.

Loki called Hestia "shorty."

Hestia, already irritated, stopped mid-sentence. She blinked slowly, absorbing the insult for a second, and then her fury exploded.

"WHAT?! Who are you calling SHORTY, you... you... BOARD?! That's right, you practically have no chest, you board! You have no right to insult me!"

Loki's face twisted in a mix of anger and amusement, and before anyone could intervene, the two goddesses were already on top of each other, pulling hair and exchanging more insults as they tumbled on the pub floor. The scene quickly turned into a comedic spectacle, with Hestia desperately trying to grab Loki's hair while the red-haired goddess laughed and held the small Hestia at bay.

"You're so short I can't even feel your punches, shorty!" Loki taunted, as Hestia shouted back:

"I may be small, but at least I have something here!" Hestia retorted, proudly pointing to her chest. "You look like a skinny child!"

As the two goddesses grappled, Bell took advantage of the chaos to slightly step back and greet the other members at the Loki Familia's table. He approached Aiz Wallenstein, the Sword Princess, who had a slight pout on her lips.

"Hello, everyone. Aiz." Bell said with a gentle smile, trying to ease the tension. "Are you all having fun?"

"Hello, Argonaut-kun!" Tiona replied cheerfully.

Her sister, Tione, just nodded.

Gareth tried to respond amiably.

"Well, it's definitely entertaining," he said, looking at the spectacle of Hestia and Loki 'fighting.'

Bete, Lefiya, and Riveria simply stared back at him in silence.

Riveria seemed to have a slightly flushed face as she looked at him cautiously, as if prepared in case he tried to jump at her like a lunatic. It was quite a funny expression for someone with Riveria's serious and calm reputation.

Lefiya and Bete, however, looked like they were giving Bell murderous glares. Especially Lefiya. She seemed to be muttering some curses at him.

"Hello, Bell Cranel. You certainly know how to stir things up." Finn commented while also watching the little brawl between Hestia and Loki. "So, this is your goddess, huh?"

They had forgotten to ask about when Bell was at the Loki Familia mansion.

"Yes, her name is Hestia. I'm the first member of the Hestia Familia."

"I see."

A brief silence fell after that, and as they watched the "spectacle," the silence was broken by a familiar voice.

"You deceived me."

A little surprised by the words said suddenly with a hint of frustration, Bell turned to find Aiz's golden eyes looking at him. She was staring at him intently while her lips seemed to be pouting.

Bell blinked, surprised, and pointed to himself.

"Deceived? Me? When?"

"You said you would teach me something that uses the power of the wind... but you left without teaching me anything," her voice, although calm, was clearly irritated. "You deceived me."

Bell let out a small laugh, as if he was genuinely amused by the situation.

"Ah... about that. Actually, I said I would think about teaching you something, not that I would really do it. You misunderstood, so I'm really not at fault."

Aiz slightly furrowed her brows, looking confused for a moment.

"Think...?"

"Exactly. I just said I would think about it, but I never promised to teach anything."

Aiz fell silent for a few seconds, pondering his words as she tried to remember. She struggled a bit to recall his exact words at that moment and finally remembered.

"If you keep up with the game with me and follow my pace, I might think about teaching you something useful and powerful that uses the power of the wind."

After all, he said he would think about teaching her; he never actually promised to teach. She was the one who got it wrong. However, she didn't seem any calmer after realizing this. Without saying a word, she went back to eating her food, upset.

Lefiya, the young elf sitting next to Aiz, looked at Bell with disdain. Her fists were clenched on the table, and she seemed ready to say something, but it was Bete Loga, the werewolf from the Loki Family, who broke the silence.

"So, you think you're something, huh, kid?" Bete growled. "You and Aiz? That's what the rumors are saying out there, right? That you're dating the Sword Princess."

Bell looked at Bete, his face remaining calm despite the obvious provocation. In fact, he seemed to be taking full advantage of the current situation.

"While I am indeed the main culprit behind these rumors because of the little joke I made, I have nothing to do with these rumors. Adventurers who overthink and create things that don't exist," he said.

Bete huffed, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair, clearly irritated.

"Sure, sure. It's always like this. The kid kills a Minotaur and thinks he's the hero of the city. But I'll warn you, kid, if you think you have any chance with Aiz, you better think again."

"Chance… with Aiz?"

Bete growled, the alcohol evidently affecting his ability to remain calm.

"That's right, you idiot! You think an adventurer like her would be interested in a kid like you? Not even on your best day!"

Bell really had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. If only he knew how many times he ended up taking Aiz to his bed in previous regressions...

However, he didn't really hate Bete or anything like that. The reason for his unpleasant personality was something Bell couldn't truly despise.

Bete Loga was born into a clan of werewolves, where he was taught by his father that the world was ruled by the law of the strongest, and he adopted this philosophy throughout his life. He had a sister named Luna and a childhood friend, Reene, with whom he later became involved. However, his life changed drastically when his clan was exterminated by a monster when he was 12 years old. From then on, he developed an obsession with becoming stronger, motivated by a deep desire to protect others and avoid further losses. Eventually, he managed to avenge his clan, but that did not ease his pain.

Bete joined the Vidar Family and developed a strong camaraderie with its members, but his belief that he could protect them also crumbled after a failed expedition, which resulted in the deaths of his companions, including Selenia. This series of losses shaped his view of weakness, causing him to deeply despise those who do not try to strengthen themselves. His aggression towards the weak, however, is not motivated by arrogance, but by a distorted desire to protect them, forcing them to become stronger or stay away from danger.

Over time, Bete became increasingly bitter and rude, preferring to emotionally hurt people to prepare them for challenges. He believes that those who remain weak are unable to fight against fate, and his severe behavior aims to force others to overcome their weakness or give up to keep themselves safe. Despite his cold and insensitive facade, he deeply cares for his allies, but fears the idea of suffering more losses, which leads him to hide his pain behind insults and aggressive behavior.

Deep down, Bete has not abandoned his past and still carries emotional scars from his losses. His ongoing quest for power is a way to avoid further suffering, and although he tries to maintain a strong image, his personality is marked by a deep fear of failing to protect those he loves.

However, even knowing all of this, Bell couldn't help but respond.

"You know, if you really don't improve your way of acting and speaking, I'm sorry to say, but I think you'll remain a virgin for the rest of your life."

Although when Bete was in the Vidar Family, he was the captain of the Family at the time, and Selenia, the vice-captain who was in love with him, they had kissed at some point, Bete and Selenia never went further than that. It was Bete himself who told Bell this during one of the regressions when they became close friends after Bell joined the Loki Family.

Well, it's not like he could talk about the previous regressions anyway.

The table fell silent for a moment after Bell's response, and then some members of the Loki Family, specifically Gareth and Tiona, let out muffled laughs. Tione simply raised an eyebrow, surprised by Bell's audacity and courage to say that.

Finn showed the least surprise along with Aiz. After the conversation that Loki, he, and Aiz had with Bell in his office, it takes more than this to surprise him.

Bete, however, found it no laughing matter. He suddenly stood up, knocking over his chair in the process, his furious gaze fixed on Bell.

"What did you say, you brat?!" Bete roared, ready to charge, but before he could do anything, the fight between Loki and Hestia drew attention again.

Loki, with his hair all disheveled and his clothes slightly torn, was standing, pointing at Bell with an accusing finger while yelling at Hestia:

"That's right! This perverted kid kissed mommy and flirted with me!"

Hestia, who had been in the middle of pulling Loki's hair, immediately stopped. She turned slowly to Bell, just to confirm before continuing. Not like her Bell would ever think of doing that!

"Bell-kun… that's not true, is it?" Hestia asked, her voice trembling slightly. "You… you really flirted with that plank and kissed that thing!?"

"Excuse me!?" Riveria really didn't like being called a 'thing'.

Knowing there was no way to escape this, he just nodded slightly, confirming.

"Yes… it's true."

The pub fell into a deathly silence. Even the people who had been trying to ignore the commotion were now paying attention to the conversation. Hestia's eyes widened in surprise, and then... chaos resumed.

"BELLLLLLLLLLLLLL-KUN!"

---

After some time of absolute chaos inside the Hostess of Fertility, the situation finally caught the attention of someone capable of putting an end to the confusion. Mia Grand, the imposing owner of the pub and a former adventurer with formidable strength, emerged from the kitchen. With a scowling expression and a rolling pin in hand, she entered the fray like a storm, her overwhelming presence making everyone in the place fall silent immediately.

"Enough of this! If you two don't stop, I'll throw both of you out of here!" Mia bellowed, her voice echoing against the pub's walls.

Loki and Hestia, who had resumed their argument after Bell admitted to kissing Riveria and flirting with Loki, froze immediately upon hearing her irritated voice. Both knew it was a bad idea to disobey that woman, especially when she was holding something that could easily be used as an improvised weapon.

With a grunt of frustration, Loki immediately sat back down in her chair. The Loki Familia merely watched their goddess grumble without pause before she snatched a beer glass from one of them and gulped down the entire contents in one go.

Hestia, for her part, huffed in anger, but she didn't want to risk any more trouble and getting kicked out of the pub—not when she had some free time with Bell. She just had to ignore Loki.

Bell sighed as he watched things calm down. He wouldn't lie; it was genuinely entertaining to see all of this unfold, as it was something that had never happened during his previous Regressions. Still, the intensity of the "fight" was quite surprising.

After several Regressions, living with things happening the same way would become very boring.

However, the attention he was receiving now was not very pleasant. Although the tension had diminished and the atmosphere returned to the usual buzz of conversation and laughter, there were some adventurers looking at him while whispering some annoying things.

"So, is he really dating the Princess of the Sword?"

"Are you an idiot? Didn't you hear Goddess Loki say she didn't have a boyfriend?"

"Wait, but didn't Loki say he flirted with her and kissed the Nine Hells?"

"Do you really believe that?"

"But it was Loki herself who mentioned it. Besides, the Nine Hells didn't deny it either. In fact, she seemed to have a flushed face, didn't you see?"

"So it must be true."

"Damn. He kissed the damn Nine Hells. Lucky rabbit bastard..."

"Wait, if he kissed the Nine Hells, what about the info that he flirted with the trickster?"

These whispers only stopped when Bete stood up and told the adventurers to shut up. As Bete was intimidating to them, they immediately fell silent.

For the first time in a long while, Bell felt grateful that Bete had done something. If he hadn't told them to be quiet, Bell himself would have had to do it.

...

He and Hestia, now with their tempers calmer, walked over to an empty table in a corner of the hall, not too close and not too far from the Loki Familia's table. Hestia still wore a somewhat sulky expression, clearly bothered by the previous events, but at least the situation seemed under control.

Bell, on the other hand, was trying to think of how he would explain what had happened with Loki and Riveria without making Hestia even angrier.

As soon as they sat down, Hestia shot a stern look at Bell, crossing her arms over her chest.

"So... do you want to explain what that board said?" The goddess wasted no time, going straight to the point.

"Let me explain. I was completely unconscious at the time, still a bit out of it from what happened in the battle. When I woke up and saw a beautiful woman taking care of me, I thought I had died... I thought I would never have another chance to see such a beautiful woman again."

He paused, watching Hestia's expression grow a little more irritated.

"It was a complete misunderstanding. I kissed Riveria because I thought I was no longer alive, so it was an instinctive reaction."

"And what about Loki? What was that about flirting with her?"

"It was just a joke. Goddess Loki is known for teasing and joking with people, isn't she? Because of that, I thought about how it would be if she were the one being teased. It turned out to be more effective than I thought. I had no intention of flirting for real."

Hestia looked at Bell for a moment, evaluating his words. Finally, she huffed, crossing her arms again, but this time with a slightly less severe expression.

"You can be an idiot sometimes, Bell-kun. But... at least you were honest." She sighed, trying to push away the anger that still simmered inside her. "You said you wouldn't have another chance to see a woman so beautiful again... does that mean you think that elf is beautiful...?"

"Of course she is beautiful," he replied honestly without hesitation.

Hestia's expression hardened upon hearing his response without a moment's pause. She looked at him, only to find him calmly gazing back at her.

"... And what about me?"

"Huh?"

"Do you think I'm beautiful?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?"

She shrank back a little at his tone. However, what he said next surprised her slightly.

"Of course you're beautiful, Hestia. Easily one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen in my life. Why the hell would you ask something so obvious?"

"What... I mean, of course I am! I'm really very beautiful; of course, I know that, hehehe."

Hestia placed her hands on her cheeks and, with a flushed face, began to smile. She clearly enjoyed his response.

With the tension between them easing, Bell began to observe the environment around them. The waitresses of the Hostess of Fertility were busy attending to tables, bringing mugs of beer and plates full of food to the adventurers crowding the place. He had known all of them since his first "round." However, in some previous regressions, he might or might not have formed different connections with them.

Ryuu Lion, the green-haired elf, was working efficiently, moving gracefully and precisely between the tables. Since his first round, he had formed a deep friendship with her. She was reserved, but he had managed to fully earn her trust after the events on the 37th floor of the Dungeon. Today, however, she seemed just a distant stranger, moving through the pub without even casting a glance in his direction.

Ryuu was also one of the most important people to Bell.

Chloe Rollo, the lively and mischievous cat-eared waitress, was joking with some customers while serving drinks. In one of his past lives, she had become a close friend, always trying to drag him into her antics. Bell remembered how Chloe had helped lift his spirits during difficult times, her carefree attitude being a welcome relief amidst the chaos of Orario. However, just like with Ryuu, she had no idea who he was in this regression.

Anya Fromel, another cat-eared waitress, was known for her over-the-top energy and her penchant for teasing customers. Bell had gotten closer to her in a past life after helping her resolve a personal issue with her brother, her only living relative. Now, however, she seemed solely focused on her work, not even noticing his presence.

Bell watched the waitresses with a slight smile. It was always strange to see them again, knowing all the stories and bonds they had shared, which were now just memories. He remembered how each of them had played important roles at different times, as friends, allies and even confidants.

After thinking about this, he merely shook his head discreetly. He shouldn't let himself get carried away by those thoughts. The moments he had shared with each of them were just lost memories in time.

Memories that only he possessed.

So, even though he had decided to take a "break" this time and act as he pleased, he didn't necessarily have to revive those connections in this regression.

"I'm still upset with you, Bell-kun," Hestia said, but her tone was a little softer now.

"Really?"

"But... since you owe me for all of this, I'm going to give you a chance to make it up to me." She smiled mischievously. "How about granting me a wish?"

Bell blinked in surprise but soon smiled.

"A wish? Of course. You can ask for anything you want, Hestia. I promise I will grant it."

Hestia felt a shiver down her spine at Bell's tone.

Did he do that on purpose?

She had just been joking when she mentioned the wish, so she didn't really think Bell would actually agree to it.

Hestia looked at him for a moment, as if considering her options. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she boldly spoke.

"Then, Bell... I want you to take me on a date."

"Aren't we already on one?"

His effortless response made Hestia blink. She widened her eyes before shaking her head.

"No, we're not! It could be if that table and her Familia weren't here!"

"I heard that!" Loki shouted from a distance, a beer glass in her hand.

Hestia ignored Loki's shout, and Bell decided to do the same.

"Well, if that's what you think. However, I must say I'm a little disappointed."

"Hm? What do you mean, disappointed?"

"Exactly what I said. I said I would grant you any wish. However, you didn't need to waste that wish to ask me on a date. If you just asked normally, I would always go on a date with you if I had time."

"..."

"I thought you would use the wish to ask for something else, like a kiss for example, since I believe you're jealous of me kissing Riveria, even if it was a 'misunderstanding.'"

"..."

Hestia, who had been silent, widened her eyes as she processed Bell's words.

Yes, she was jealous that he had kissed that elf. However, she hadn't even thought about asking for a kiss. It was still too soon!

But according to Bell, he would go on a date with her whenever he was available if she just asked him, so she wasted the 'wish' on something useless!?

"Wait, wait! I want to change, I don't want to use the wish to ask for a date!"

Bell shook his head with a mischievous smile while looking at Hestia, who was still processing the fact that she had apparently "wasted" her wish on something she could have gotten for "free." He seized the opportunity and replied in a playful tone while pretending to be completely serious.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Hestia, but once a wish is made, it can't be changed. Rules are rules."

She blinked, surprised, and soon frowned.

"Rules? What rules? You just made that up!"

He shrugged, keeping the expression light.

"Maybe so, but still... you've already used your wish." He leaned slightly toward her, a mischievous look in his eyes. "Besides, don't worry, Hestia. We'll go on our date sooner or later, I promise. When I have some free time, it will be the first thing we do."

Hestia huffed, clearly frustrated.

"No! I want to change!"

"I warned you before that it was any wish, but it's already done, you've already made your request."

She tried to argue again, opening her mouth to speak, but before she could continue her line of thought, a soft voice interrupted their dialogue.

"Excuse me, have you two decided what you want to order?" The voice was sweet, almost enchanting, and when Bell looked up, he saw the silver-haired waitress standing next to their table.

She was wearing a friendly smile.

As soon as he heard the voice, Bell watched her for a moment.

That smile of hers.

It was Syr... or rather, Freya, he thought, recognizing her immediately. Even though she was disguised as a simple waitress, he knew very well who she really was. In several regressions, it was Syr who first approached him pretending to have found a fallen magic stone on the ground, claiming it was his. That had just been an excuse to start a conversation, as Freya, disguised as Syr, had been watching him for a long time. However, in this current regression, he had avoided passing by that specific location, which prevented their meeting.

Until now.

There were also times when he had initiated contact with Syr first.

In the beginning, it was a bit difficult to distinguish who among Freya and Horn was disguised as Syr. But after several regressions dealing with Syr, it was quite easy to tell which of the two was masquerading as Syr at that moment.

"Ah... we're still deciding," Bell replied politely, though he maintained a more distant tone than usual.

He knew how problematic she could be, and considering he was trying to "take a break" in this regression, the last thing he needed was to get involved with Freya so soon. If possible, he preferred not to engage with her in this regression, but he knew that was impossible to achieve.

At that moment, that damned goddess was completely obsessed with his soul. If he remembered correctly, it was because of the color of the soul and how pure it was, as if it had never seen darkness back then.

'Eh,' he really had to hold back a dry laugh at that thought.

Pure soul... what a funny thing.

Syr, for her part, smiled sweetly, her silver eyes shining with barely concealed curiosity.

"All right. Can I suggest something from the house, then?" she asked, leaning slightly, trying to establish closer contact with Bell.

Hestia, who was already in a bad mood because of the previous situation, couldn't help but frown at how Syr seemed to be getting "too close" to Bell.

"Oh, you don't need to worry. I'm already thinking about what to order," Bell replied, keeping his tone direct and short.

He could perceive Freya's intentions — or at least suspect what she was planning — and even though he was enjoying all of this, getting involved with her would bring a series of complications he definitely wasn't willing to deal with at the moment. He tried to keep the conversation as casual and brief as possible.

Syr, however, didn't seem to want to back away so easily. She continued smiling, her eyes filled with calculated curiosity as she stayed close.

"You're Bell Cranel, right? The boyfriend of the Sword Princess everyone is talking about?" she asked, feigning innocence.

Bell raised an eyebrow, already knowing where this was going.

"My Bell-kun is not dating that Aiz Wuatlset girl, whatever her name is!" Hestia practically shouted at Syr.

Fortunately, it seemed that Loki hadn't heard, as she was laughing uncontrollably with a mug of beer in hand. However, some adventurers from her Familia appeared to have heard perfectly well, as their ears were sharper than normal people's.

Bell felt Aiz's eyes fixed on him even without needing to turn around to confirm it.

Since he didn't hear Bete getting up and shouting something, he presumed he was too drunk to pay attention to all the other conversations. This was good, as Bete was a Werewolf, meaning his ears were even more sensitive than the rest.

He really didn't feel like dealing with a drunk Bete. He had done that many more times than he wanted to.

"Yes, that's me," he replied, maintaining a neutral expression. "However, as Hestia said, I'm really not dating Aiz; the rumors are quite exaggerated. However, I wouldn't turn down a pretty girl who's in love with me."

"Bell-kun!?"

"Oh, seriously?" Syr's eyes sparkled intensely.

"Of course. However, there are some limits. Mainly in this life."

"What limits?" Syr tilted her head, curious.

It was time to give a warning. To hell with the consequences that this would bring later; he would deal with Freya eventually. After all, if he wanted to take a vacation, taking care of her was a necessity. However, he really hoped she wouldn't screw with him at Monsterphilia as she had done in his first life, as well as in other regressions.

Therefore, he didn't mind stating the limits to Syr and spoke with a cheeky smile, looking directly into her eyes.

"You know, it's funny how things can change depending on who's watching, right? Sometimes, someone's reflection can be seen from very far away... like from the top of a tower, for example."

"Huh?" Hestia looked a bit confused by Bell's words.

She didn't fully understand what Bell meant, but it wasn't really for her to understand.

The other person, however...

"...!"

Syr's smile froze for a fraction of a second. It wasn't something anyone would notice, but Bell was sure she understood the message. He knew Freya had been watching him during the fight against the Minotaur, probably using the "mirror" she usually kept at the top of the Tower of Babel, where the Freya Familia resided. Her reaction was almost imperceptible, but he noticed.

Syr, however, quickly recovered, returning to smile naturally.

"Yes, sometimes things are like that," she replied, her voice sweet, but her eyes were now more alert, as if she were trying to understand how he knew.

"Well, I'll let you decide at your leisure. Call me when you're ready."

Before stepping away, she cast one last look at Bell, clearly intrigued by his response. Hestia, in turn, followed her with her eyes, still suspicious.

When Syr finally left, Hestia turned to Bell with an arched eyebrow.

"Was she flirting with you, or was it just my impression?"

"No, I don't think so. It's probably just your imagination."

"My imagination? She was practically throwing herself at you!" Hestia crossed her arms again, clearly bothered.

"Let's make the order before the night ends, okay? I want their best wine and some food to go with it."

His attempt to change the subject was successful.

Hestia almost fell off her chair when she heard that. "Wine?! Bell-kun, you're too young to drink!"

"It's a special occasion, isn't it? Besides, I've had wine before, so I'm used to it; therefore, it's not a problem."

He only said that to get her to concede quickly. In this life, he hadn't had any alcoholic drinks yet, but since he had in almost every regression, it wasn't really a lie.

She hesitated, clearly still uncomfortable with the idea, but after a few moments, she sighed and relented.

"Fine, but only because you're already used to it. However, no overdoing it!"

She was quite cheeky saying that, as she would probably overdo it herself. However, Bell didn't respond; he just gave a small smile.

This regression was just for fun. Therefore, he would indulge too.

Bell made the order when Syr returned to the table. He ordered the best wine in the pub and some food options he knew Hestia liked. Throughout the conversation, Bell kept his responses direct and friendly but always short, making it clear he didn't want to prolong the interaction with Syr.

Syr, however, didn't lose the sparkle in her eyes. Although she maintained a professional demeanor, it was clear to Bell that she had understood his earlier message. The brief clash of intentions had ended, but that didn't mean she would give up.

When Syr finally stepped away, Hestia relaxed a bit in her chair, though she still cast furtive glances in the waitress's direction from time to time.

Bell, in turn, smiled to himself. As mentioned before, he knew that completely avoiding Freya would be impossible, but at least he hoped to have delayed the inevitable, even if just a little.

...

...

Syr returned to the table with the food and wine that Bell had ordered, carefully balancing the tray while displaying her ever-polite smile. Hestia, still a bit suspicious of the silver-haired waitress, watched closely as she set the plates on the table.

"I hope you enjoy," Syr commented softly, casting one more calculated look at Bell before gracefully stepping away.

Hestia frowned as she looked at the food. Bell had ordered exactly what she liked the most: a generous portion of grilled meat accompanied by a special sauce and crispy potatoes. The wine, in turn, was from a renowned vintage, known for being smooth yet full-bodied.

She blinked, surprised. How did he know? She didn't remember mentioning these preferences to Bell before. Their financial situation hadn't been the best until recently after he won a sum at the casino. They usually ate little, mostly potatoes as the main food.

"How did you know I liked this so much, Bell-kun?" she asked, curious, as she began to eat.

Bell gave a small relaxed smile, but his eyes sparkled in a way that she couldn't quite interpret. He leaned slightly, responding casually, though evasively.

"Who knows? Maybe I have good intuition."

He still seemed to have that air of confidence around him. And even though it left her a bit unsettled, she felt happy to see him more self-assured. At the same time, however, something in her questioned whether he was hiding something. There were small details that didn't add up, but she preferred to set those doubts aside for now.

It was better to enjoy the food!

"Look who's here. If it isn't the casino champion," a voice sounded, loaded with a mix of sarcasm and barely contained irritation.

Bell closed his eyes for a second, clearly frustrated, before slowly turning around. He already knew who it was before even looking. It was Zanis Lustra, the captain of the Soma Familia—someone he didn't want to interact with so soon, especially after everything that happened at the casino.

Hestia watched, confused, as the man approached. He had a seemingly normal appearance, with a thin face and wearing glasses, and he had a smile that made her feel a growing irritation for some reason.

"And who is this lovely lady here by your side?" Zanis asked, his tone obviously provocative.

Before Hestia could respond, Bell got straight to the point.

"Who she is is none of your business."

His tone was sharp, making it clear how much disdain he had for that man. Zanis, however, forced a smile, but Hestia noticed how his face went rigid with anger for a few seconds before he calmed down.

"Eh, I see. Are you jealous?"

"Exactly, how did you find out? Now, get lost."

Hestia looked at Bell, surprised. This was not the Bell she knew. He was more... aggressive. Zanis, however, seemed determined to prolong the interaction, clearly relishing Bell's irritation.

"Don't be like that, kid. I'm trying to be friendly with you, why are you acting this way? Did you get so confident after Linus wet his pants in the casino?"

Hestia blinked, confused. Linus? Casino? Wetting his pants? What the hell were they talking about? She opened her mouth to ask, but Bell was quicker.

"Friendly? Don't make me laugh," Bell replied in a cutting tone, his eyes fixed on Zanis with an intensity that made her shrink slightly. "It was because of you that I got kicked out after only earning 470,000 valis, you son of a bitch."

Hestia's eyes widened, shocked at the swear word that had come out of Bell's mouth. He had never spoken like that before. Zanis, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy it even more, feigning innocence.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Bell Cranel," Zanis said, his voice smoothly evasive, as if he were deliberately trying to provoke Bell even further.

However, Bell knew exactly what Zanis was doing. Yet, if he really knew that, why the hell was he acting the way Zanis wanted?

The answer is quite simple.

Just because.

By this point, the argument had started to attract glances. Some nearby adventurers began to pay attention, and Hestia noticed familiar figures from the Loki Familia, like Finn, Riveria, and Aiz, who turned to see what was happening. Although most of the Loki Familia seemed to be engaged in their own conversations, including a visibly drunk Loki animatedly talking to anyone who would listen, their attention was captured by the rising tension between Bell and Zanis.

Bell stood up and stepped forward.

"Did you just come here to exchange useless words? Are you mad that you lost several hands in poker, even though you were cheating alongside Linus? Want to know how I won against you, despite your cheating?"

Zanis's smile faded for a few seconds before returning to his face.

"Are you so sure of that, kid? It seems you're seeing ghosts where there are none."

"I'm not so sure about that. I'm talking to one ugly ghost right now."

His quick response made Zanis frown. It was somewhat childish; he normally wouldn't let something so stupid affect him. However... the tone of the kid who said that was strange.

"Bell Cranel, do you have a problem with me?"

Bell looked directly at Zanis, and again, without hesitation, responded coldly:

"Yes, I have a problem with you. Finally realized it, you bastard?"

As he spoke, Bell raised his middle finger without ceremony, the rude gesture causing a brief silence around the table. Zanis kept the smile on his face, but the glint in his eyes became much darker. He pressed his lips together, trying to hide the anger now bubbling beneath his friendly facade.

Hestia, who was beside Bell, watched everything with a mixed expression of surprise and discomfort. This new side of Bell, bolder and more aggressive, was something she had never witnessed before.

"Ah, so the kid decided to grow a backbone," Zanis murmured, crossing his arms. "But courage without caution can be dangerous, Bell Cranel. Be careful who you decide to provoke."

Bell shrugged, picking up the mug of wine and bringing it to his lips. His eyes never left Zanis', making it clear that he was not afraid of the man in front of him.

"I'm not worried," Bell said, his voice controlled. "Now, you've annoyed me enough. I suggest you leave before I make you wet your pants like Linus."

Zanis kept the tense smile for a few more seconds but soon relaxed his shoulders and stepped back. He hoped to get a better glimpse of Bell's personality with this exchange. However, Bell had shown a strength he hadn't expected to find. He thought that perhaps what Bell had shown in the casino was a strong personality created for that specific place; if he appeared weak, others would take advantage of it because of his appearance.

The captain of the Soma Familia let out a theatrical sigh, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"As you wish, Bell. But remember: the world is not as simple as you think." Zanis glanced briefly at Hestia, his smile widening before turning to leave. "Have fun while you can."

...

As Zanis Lustra took the first step away, a chill ran down his spine. Suddenly, the surroundings seemed to darken. The soft noise of conversations and laughter in the restaurant became muffled, as if swallowed by a suffocating presence. His vision began to narrow, forming a dark corridor stretching out in front of him, as if the shadows around him came to life and closed in on him.

Sweat began to bead on Zanis's forehead. He tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling, but something was wrong. His feet felt heavier, the air around him dense. The survival instinct, something he hadn't felt for a long time since becoming a level 3 adventurer, began screaming at him to flee, as if a predator were closing in on him.

His heart raced, pounding in his chest, and he realized that, no matter how hard he tried to maintain his composure, something in that place was tightening his gut with irrational fear. The idea was absurd — he was the captain of the Soma Familia, a veteran adventurer. But at that moment, with every fiber of his being soaked in adrenaline, he felt as if his life were in danger. His gaze swept across the hall, but found nothing — no weapons aimed, no visible threats.

Suddenly, he heard Bell's voice, cold and clear, breaking the suffocating pressure.

"I hope that wasn't a threat, Zanis." The words carried a casual tone, but Bell's eyes were fixed on his, intense and piercing. There was no doubt about what he was insinuating. "For your sake, I hope it wasn't."

Zanis's mind snapped back to the present with a jolt. The noise of the restaurant returned, the corridor of darkness dissipated, but sweat was still trickling down his face. He blinked a few times, confused.

'What was that?' he wondered, his thoughts swirling in his mind.

Was that what Linus felt in the casino? The fear that made his subordinate wet himself? But he, Zanis, was a level 3 adventurer. How could that level 1 kid cause that feeling? Something didn't make sense.

His breathing became heavier, discomfort evident as he processed what had just happened.

'Did I really feel fear from that rookie?' The idea was humiliating, and he quickly dismissed the thought, as if it were a poison he refused to admit to tasting.

Zanis took one last look at Bell, who had now returned to drinking his wine calmly, as if nothing extraordinary had happened. He pressed his lips together, a serious expression on his face as he turned to leave, not saying another word.

...

As he walked away, Bell let out a deep sigh, placing the wine glass back on the table with a light clink. Hestia looked at him, still somewhat stunned by the aggressive exchange she had just witnessed.

"Bell-kun… what was all that?" she asked, her voice soft but laden with curiosity and concern. "Since when do you talk like that?"

Bell met her gaze for a few seconds, his eyes softening slightly, as if the intensity he had shown moments before was dissipating.

"Sorry about that, Hestia. Let's just say some things happened between me and him at the casino, and he's a real piece of work."

Hestia frowned, trying to process what had just happened, but before she could continue the conversation, her attention was diverted by a new sound — laughter and excited voices coming from the table next to them. She turned her head and saw Loki getting up with a mug of beer in hand, clearly drunk, while her children watched her with varying expressions of amusement, exasperation, and resignation.

---

About half an hour had passed since the incident with Zanis, and Hestia, after several glasses of wine, was clearly intoxicated. She was standing, her eyes sparkling with excitement and her voice a bit louder than normal as she talked to Loki, who also seemed to be quite merry from the drink.

"So, Loki!" Hestia began, swaying slightly as she held her cup. "You always brag about your kids, right? About your Aiz whatever and everyone in your Familia. But... let me tell you... about my Bell-kun!"

She pointed to Bell, who was sitting calmly, sipping his wine while watching the scene with amusement.

Loki laughed loudly; she was also completely drunk. "Her name is Aiz Wallenstein, you flat-chested! Your boy might be strong, I admit, after all, he was able to kill a Minotaur at level 1. However, don't forget that he's still a rookie; my Aiz-chan is much more amazing!"

Those words seemed to hurt Hestia's pride, and she immediately frowned.

"Rookie? My Bell-kun isn't just any rookie, Loki!" She raised her voice a little more, attracting the attention of everyone around, including the members of the Loki Familia, who were now starting to pay more attention to the conversation.

Finn, who was sitting nearby, observed the exchange with interest, maintaining a calm expression but clearly attentive to what was being said. Aiz, on the other hand, remained silent, her eyes fixed on Bell as if she were waiting to see how the conversation would evolve.

Bell, however, quickly understood where the conversation was going.

Hestia, fueled by alcohol and the need to defend her family's pride, smiled mischievously.

Bell shut his eyes at Hestia's smile.

"Ah, but you don't know one thing, Loki." She leaned forward, as if about to share an important secret. "Your dear Aiz no longer holds the record for the fastest level up. My Bell-kun... has already reached level 2!"

For someone who wanted to delay Bell's level-up, she certainly was talking a lot.

The pub fell silent.

The sound of conversations, laughter, and cheers was suddenly muffled by the revelation.

All eyes turned to Hestia, then to Bell, who was sitting calmly, apparently unaffected by the commotion that his goddess had just caused.

Loki blinked, confused, before bursting into loud laughter. "Hah! What joke is this, Hestia? No one reaches level 2 that quickly! My Aiz-chan leveled up to level 2 in a year, and that was a miracle! You expect us to believe your boy did it in... how long was it?"

Apparently, the alcohol was affecting her much more than it seemed, as this was something Bell himself had told them when he was at the Twilight Manor and spoke with Loki, Finn, and Aiz in the captain's office of the Loki Familia.

And although Gareth, Lefiya, Bete, Riveria, Tiona, and Tione had their eyes wide open at this revelation, it was Aiz and Finn who showed the most reaction upon hearing that Bell had already reached level 2.

Aiz's eyes were wide as never before while she continued to stare at Bell, who was calmly drinking his wine.

Finn, who had been silent until then, finally spoke.

"Two weeks, at least that's what you said when you talked to me, Loki, and Aiz in my office. If this is true... it would be an unprecedented feat, just like when you killed a Minotaur at level 1. However, you told us you were level 1 yesterday when you spoke to us in my office, so I believe your level-up was recent."

"Wait, seriously?" Loki seemed to be coming back to her senses before remembering the conversation they had in Finn's office, and then her eyes widened as she looked at Bell, dumbfounded.

To level up, at least one of the basic stats must be at D. As Bell had only been an adventurer for two weeks, it was technically improbable for him to achieve that in such a short time unless there was a significant boost in his stats.

Finn didn't know what Bell's stats were beforehand, but managing to kill a Minotaur at level 1, something he had never done before, must have granted him high-quality Excelia. This was exactly the most important requirement for leveling up, which was to achieve a great achievement.

And being able to fight and kill a Minotaur, a level 2 monster, as only a level 1 adventurer, a rookie at that, was an accomplishment that no other adventurer in Orario had achieved. Therefore, Bell reaching level 2 in just two weeks wasn't truly impossible, considering the things that had happened to him.

Finn looked directly at Bell, his expression serious.

"Is it true, Bell?"

All eyes in the pub were now fixed on Bell. He set his wine aside before responding with a simple nod.

"It's true. And as you said, my level was updated today at the Guild, so it's not surprising that you all haven't heard about it yet."

Of course, if he hadn't been here today with Hestia, the Loki Familia would have likely discovered it quickly, as the adventurers present in the Guild when Bell handed the sheet to Eina must have already spread some rumors.

Most who heard this for the first time probably didn't believe it, but after today, the rumors would circulate more easily. It was just a matter of time before the entire city of Orario found out about the adventurer who leveled up to level 2 in just 2 weeks.

Bell's declaration was like throwing gasoline on an already burning fire. The pub erupted into a cacophony of exclamations. Even the members of the Loki Familia, who usually maintained their composure, were visibly shaken.

Hestia, still smiling victoriously and swaying slightly from the alcohol, didn't seem to notice the intensity of the reactions around her.

Bell, on the other hand, remained calm, observing the wide eyes and confused expressions surrounding him. He already knew that the news would shock everyone. This was one of the regressions to which he leveled up faster as soon as he returned.

Tiona Hiryute, the most enthusiastic member of the Loki Familia, was the first to break the silence. Her eyes sparkled like those of a child who had just heard something amazing, very much like the hero stories she loved so much.

"Argonaut-kun! This is incredible!" She practically jumped from her chair and ran to Bell, waving her arms in the air in pure excitement.

"Is it really that amazing? Besides, are you really going to keep calling me Argonaut?"

"Of course it's amazing!" Tiona really hugged him, smiling from ear to ear. "You really remind me of the Argonaut from the stories I read. There's also your fight with the Minotaur. Well, you punching it to death. I wish I could have seen the whole fight! If only we had arrived earlier..."

She really seemed sad to arrive at the end of the "fight."

Hestia shot a glance at Tiona. Although she was completely drunk, she could still see things quite well.

"Hey, let go of my Bell-kun!"

While Tiona was still radiant with excitement, other reactions were not so cheerful.

Lefiya Viridis, who was sitting next to Riveria, watched Bell with a mixture of irritation and surprise.

'He really leveled up in 2 weeks...? He broke Aiz-sama's record...' she thought with a gloomy look.

She really shouldn't be that irritated. At first, when they brought him to the Twilight Manor, she had really wanted to talk to him. However, after he kissed Riveria-sama, as well as the rumors about him being with Aiz, someone she really liked, she couldn't help but feel irritated with him.

'He had the audacity to kiss Riveria-sama... and now everyone is looking at him with surprise and disbelief.' She huffed.

Bete Loga, who was completely drunk, looked at Bell with a look of pure disdain.

"This is a joke, right?" he said, his voice laden with sarcasm and drunken anger. "This rookie thinks he's a hero now just because he leveled up? He barely started, and already they want to put him on the same level as real adventurers?"

Who is putting who on the same level as real adventurers? That was the thought of most people nearby. However, he already seemed very out of it.

Bete shook the wooden cup he was holding with beer, spilling a little on the floor without caring.

"Are you all taking this crap seriously?"

Loki, still processing the information, gave Bete a light slap on the head.

"Shut up, Bete."

That little slap made Bete hit his head on the wooden table and lose consciousness. Some people sweated at the sight, but Loki spoke again.

"He really leveled up in two weeks... this is serious." Loki's statement carried an unusual tension.

Loki herself, who was usually irreverent, was too surprised to react with immediate sarcasm. She stared at Bell, trying to see something that could explain how this was possible. But no matter how hard she tried, the fact was clear — Bell Cranel, this adventurer, had done what seemed impossible.

"Hey, Hestia."

Without using nicknames, Loki called Hestia by her name in a serious voice.

"Yes? Are you still surprised?" Hestia replied, her voice playful and cheerful, as if everyone's surprise and disbelief made her feel at ease.

However, Loki's expression was anything but happy.

"You... didn't cheat, right?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You really didn't use your Arcanum to bend the rules, did you?"

Hestia wasn't too happy with this accusation.

"Of course not!"

Although Loki truly believed Hestia wouldn't be crazy enough to break the rules, she was still incredulous about everything, so she had to clear up the smallest doubts, no matter how unlikely they seemed.

"Alright, forget what I said," Loki swallowed the rest of her drink before shouting again. "More beer!"

She still didn't seem pleased that someone had broken Aiz's record.

Meanwhile, Riveria Ljos Alf, who was usually the most composed, was deeply confused. Her eyes were fixed on Bell, and despite trying to maintain her usual composure, her mind was in complete disorder. The memory of the kiss Bell had given her — something she hadn't fully gotten over — now mixed with this revelation.

She found herself watching Bell, trying to decipher his motivations and intentions. Something about him unsettled her, and it irritated her deeply.

...

Gareth Landrock, the veteran dwarf, took a deep gulp from his beer mug before chuckling softly.

"Well, this is certainly something I didn't expect to see in this life," he commented, watching Bell with a more evaluative gaze.

"A kid leveling up in two weeks? That's a rarity among rarities. If this keeps up, this boy will give us more surprises."

...

Tione Hiryute, who was sitting nearby, watched everything with a slightly amused expression, but there was also a touch of skepticism.

"This is really impressive, I won't deny it," she murmured, taking a sip of her drink.

She glanced at Aiz, who remained silent but with her eyes fixed on Bell.

"And you, Aiz? What do you think of all this?"

Aiz Wallenstein, who had been silent until now, felt a whirlwind of emotions she wasn't used to experiencing. Since she met Bell yesterday, something inside her seemed to have changed. Now, knowing he had broken her level-up record... It was a mix of curiosity, admiration, and a hint of discomfort.

'He didn't just break my record... he completely obliterated it,' Aiz thought, her eyes softening. 'But... why does this bother me so much?'

She kept observing Bell, as if wanting to understand how he managed to do this. She had the impression he wouldn't tell her even if she asked. But what if this wasn't the end? What if he leveled up quickly again? She had always been training hard in the Dungeon almost every day to get stronger and kill that damn Black Dragon she hated so much.

Even though she was the fastest to level up, she still considered herself slow. And here was someone who demonstrated that completely. What did he have that she didn't? Was it just because he killed the Minotaur, or was there something more?

If she did something like him, could she also level up faster?

Aiz rarely felt intimidated, but there was something about this young man that made her uneasy.

...

Hestia beamed as she saw all the eyes fixed on her dear Bell-kun.

"Are you all seeing this now?" she exclaimed, waving the beer mug she had taken from the Loki Familia's table. "My Bell-kun is amazing! He's going to be the strongest adventurer in Orario, just wait and see!"

Loki, now more sober, let out a laugh.

"Your boy is a rare gem, I admit. But don't think this will last forever."

"What do you mean by that?" Hestia looked defiantly at Loki.

"He's going to attract a lot of attention when this news spreads. Especially from the other gods," Hestia seemed to understand what Loki meant.

"And that means they might want to go after dear Bell-kun. Can you protect him, Hestia?"

Loki's voice was filled with malice and amusement. It only grew when she saw Hestia freeze at her words.

"This won't be a problem."

However, the voice of the person they were talking about spoke calmly, making both turn to him.

"I won't leave Hestia's side. If there's really some fool of a god who tries something, he better be prepared to wish he had never heard of me."

Hestia was moved by his words and threw herself at him.

"Bell-kun!"

Loki just looked at him with a strange expression. His confidence in saying that didn't seem to come from the drink. For some reason, Loki felt genuinely uncomfortable.

It was eerie.

But she quickly pushed those strange thoughts out of her mind and spoke to him again, who was being embraced by Hestia.

"Enjoy it while you can, Bell Cranel. Soon, the whole world will be watching you."

He just looked at her before speaking.

"I'm already used to it, although I'd really prefer not to deal with this in this life."

The pub, which had been buzzing with the initial shock, was now starting to come back to life, with voices blending into a cacophony of conversations about the revelation. Yet, even so, the impact of Hestia's words and Bell's rise loomed over the atmosphere like an inevitable shadow.

---

The streets of Orario were quiet, shrouded in the twilight of night and illuminated only by the soft glow of the moon and the occasional flicker of lanterns swaying in the breeze.

The silence of the city was broken only by the gentle sound of Bell and Hestia's footsteps as they slowly walked along the stone sidewalk. They had just left the Hostess of Fertility, where Bell, despite having drunk quite a bit, was still much more sober than Hestia, who, completely intoxicated, stumbled over her own feet.

Bell supported the weight of the little goddess leaning against him, her arms draped around his shoulders in a nearly lazy manner, while she laughed from time to time, murmuring disconnected words.

She swayed her head, her black hair flying wildly, and Bell maintained a calm expression, accustomed to these situations. Although his body was young, his mind had endured so much that it did not affect him as it might affect someone his age. The countless regressions he had experienced had given him an unusual emotional and mental resilience for someone with his fragile appearance, so alcohol really wasn't a problem for him.

"Be-Bell-kun... why are you..." Hestia stammered, her voice dragged down by the effects of alcohol as they walked. She stumbled sideways, forcing Bell to hold her waist firmly so she wouldn't fall to the ground.

He merely smiled softly, looking ahead, keeping his head up and his thoughts scattered. "Just taking care of you, Hestia. You really drank too much today."

"Ahhh, always... always taking care of me..." She laughed softly, but soon her expression relaxed, her gaze becoming more fixed on him. "But you... don't have to... I'm a goddess, remember? I'm strong..."

She was really quite drunk.

"I know, you're pretty strong." Bell spoke with a calmness that contrasted with her intoxicated state. "But gods also need care from time to time."

Hestia tightened her arm around Bell a bit more, as if seeking emotional support in that contact. She looked at him, with a lazy smile, but her eyes, despite the effects of alcohol, carried a certain seriousness.

"I'm happy... happy that you let me close... Really... you know that, right?"

Bell gave a brief nod. He knew how much Hestia cared for him. And in another time, perhaps, he would also allow himself to be more vulnerable with her. But now, after so many lives, so many mistakes and frustrations, it was hard for him to respond with the same transparency. The Bell she had known before, the shy and inexperienced young man, no longer existed in the same way. He had changed, transformed, and she was beginning to notice that.

Hestia paused, the smile fading from her lips.

"When... you let me sleep next to you yesterday... I... I was so moved, you know? I thought that... finally... I was starting to get closer to you, Bell-kun. Even having known you for just two weeks, I really thought I knew a lot about you... But..."

She hesitated, her gaze turning to the street ahead.

"Today... when I saw you... cursing that man, with so much anger... It really worried me and even scared me a bit. You've never done that before."

Bell kept his gaze ahead, listening to her words echo in his mind.

She was right.

He had changed. The regressions, the endless attempts and failures, had shaped him into someone different. And he knew that Hestia was starting to notice this. But he couldn't explain. He could tell her about the regressions, about the burden he carried. It was a secret, a curse, something that the damned Fate decided that only he could endure.

Why didn't that damned Fate choose someone else?

"I... I'm sorry for scaring you," Bell murmured, looking down at the ground.

She didn't know what had happened at the casino. However, it wasn't just the casino. Zanis had already irritated Bell enough in previous regressions. So much that he really had to hold back to avoid killing that bastard after he looked at Hestia that way.

Thinking about it, maybe he had actually gone easy on Zanis with that little murderous intent. However, almost all the waitresses at the Hostess of Fertility were practically former First-Class adventurers.

Ryuu, Anya, Chloe, and Lunoire... all of them were at level 4 at that moment.

And the owner, Mia Grand, was a damned level 6.

If he had gone too far with the murderous intent, even if it was only directed at Zanis, it was possible that the others would notice. In fact, he felt Mia's gaze on him when he sent that little murderous intent toward Zanis.

Bell didn't know if Mia had really felt it, but she must have noticed something strange at that moment.

Hestia looked at him for a moment, the silence between them stretching out. She shook her head slowly, as if trying to understand something that was beyond her reach in her current state.

"I just... don't want to lose you, Bell-kun. I don't know why, but I feel... you seem a little distant... As if... something heavy is pulling you down."

Bell took a deep breath. He wanted to tell her, wanted to share his burden. But he knew it was impossible. He knew that if he insisted, it would kill him. He had tested the limits before. There was a price for carrying this burden, and it was a price he had to pay alone.

"I'm still here, Hestia. You don't need to worry." His words were gentle but distant, as if they were hiding something much bigger behind them.

She looked at him intensely, but her eyes were starting to glaze over again, the momentary sobriety she had shown fading away as the alcohol took control once more.

"You're always... so complicated now..." Hestia shook her head lightly, her face taking on a more childlike expression, like a child throwing a tantrum.

But speaking of complications... "That kiss with that elf... Did... did you like it?"

Bell remained silent for a moment. He no longer blushed easily, his original shyness buried under layers of experience and fatigue. In previous regressions, he had been an innocent young man who would turn red just thinking about such a thing. But now, he had been through much more complicated situations.

"I won't deny or affirm it. It was a misunderstanding," he replied calmly, without hesitation.

Hestia, however, huffed and dramatically turned her face away, as if she didn't want to accept the explanation. "Misunderstanding or not... you kissed another person... That's... that's unfair!"

"To me, it wasn't a real kiss, Hestia. It didn't mean anything."

But Hestia, still caught up in her little tantrum, ignored him.

"You're my Bell-kun! You can't just go kissing... other women like that..." She stumbled again, forcing Bell to hold her more firmly. The proximity between them increased, and the momentary silence brought an unexpected tension between them.

She looked at him for a second, her eyes a little blurry from the alcohol, but with a genuine intensity.

"If... if you're going to kiss someone..." She shook her head again, her hair falling over her eyes. "It has to be me first..."

Bell froze for a moment, looking at her.

The tension between them was palpable now, and as much as he knew that Hestia was drunk and probably wouldn't remember much of this conversation the next day, there was something in that moment that pulled him toward her. Maybe it was the exhaustion. Maybe it was the loneliness. Or maybe it was the fact that, in that instant, he just wanted a moment of simplicity, something pure and comforting amid all the darkness he carried.

He knew he shouldn't give in. How many times had he seen her die? He really couldn't even remember all the times. And he knew it wouldn't be different this time. No matter how much he planned to enjoy life to the fullest in this regression, he knew that at some point, he would see everyone, including Hestia, dying again.

How many more times would he have to endure this?

Yet, his body moved on its own and he leaned forward. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a brief moment, the world around them disappeared. All that remained was the silence of the night and the closeness between them.

Then, softly and gently, their lips met.

It was a brief, tender kiss, almost as if it were just a silent promise between the two. Hestia returned the gesture gently, but before the moment could prolong, she collapsed, finally overwhelmed by the alcohol and fatigue.

Bell caught her immediately, holding her in his arms before she fell, his movements quick and precise.

"Damn."

He cursed softly for having given in to the moment.

With a sigh, he carefully lifted Hestia, carrying her in a princess carry as she mumbled something unintelligible, already almost unconscious.

Bell held her firmly but gently and began walking through the silent streets of Orario.

As he walked, his thoughts began to wander.

He was exhausted. Not physically—the weight of Hestia in his arms was light, easy to bear. But mentally, emotionally, he was worn out. The countless regressions had deeply marked him, transforming him into someone who, no matter how much he wanted, could no longer return to being the naïve boy Hestia had known.

In some regressions, Bell had wished he could really die, to end the cycle. There were times when he even tried—taking his own life, hoping that it would finally end his existence. But nothing worked. He always returned, always back to the beginning, carrying with him the burden of all the memories, all the failures, all the sacrifices.

And the worst part? He couldn't tell anyone. The curse that surrounded him was relentless.

It was an invisible prison, a burden he would have to carry alone, forever.

As he carried Hestia back home, Bell wondered, as he had so many times before, if he would ever find a way out. If he could ever finally share what he felt with someone. He didn't expect a magical solution to his problems. He didn't expect anyone to heal the burden he carried.

But if he could tell, just once, to one single person... that might be enough.

He sighed, looking up at the night sky. Even exhausted, even tired beyond words, Bell would continue to fight. It was all he knew how to do. It was all he could do.

But deep down, he knew that somehow, all he wanted was to rest.

---

In the depths of the Dungeon, where light hesitated to penetrate and silence reigned supreme, a vague pulse of life stirred. It was a place where even the bravest adventurers felt the weight of something ancient and powerful, something that should not be disturbed.

Shadows danced along the walls sculpted by time, moving as if they possessed a consciousness of their own, lurking in the crevices and dark corners. The atmosphere was dense and suffocating, a strange and oppressive heat that seemed to emanate from the very rocks.

At the heart of these depths, a being lay in wait, but his mind was far from at peace. The shadows surrounding him were not just external; they also inhabited his consciousness, shaping fragmented and confusing dreams. He was engulfed in memories, but the recollections were distorted, as if they were pieces of a fragmented reality.

In his dream, he stood before that boy once again. The same adventurer who had destroyed him in a past life. The Minotaur felt an uncontrollable rage swell within him at the memory of that figure. The boy with white hair and red eyes like embers charged at him with a ferocity he had never seen in another human. The knife the boy used was like an extension of his fury, piercing his eyes and ending his life with relentless brutality.

But this time, something was different.

He did not understand what he was seeing. The surroundings appeared distorted, darker, more oppressive. It was not the same place where his life had been taken. And the boy... he was still there, challenging him, but he was not the same. His hair, once as white as snow, was now dyed a deep red, as vivid as freshly spilled blood. And around him, small embers danced in the air, as if they were sparks from an invisible flame, lingering in the space between the two.

The Minotaur growled, confused. What was this? Why was the boy different? His body prepared for battle, muscles tightening in anticipation of the fight, but his mind was torn between burning hatred and growing incomprehension. He could not grasp the nature of this change, and it irritated him deeply.

The sight of the boy advancing was both familiar and strange. He ran with the same wild determination, but now there was a new strength within him, something the Minotaur could not define. Each step of the adventurer seemed to ignite the ground beneath him, leaving trails of heat and embers in his wake. And those eyes... they still glowed with the same red fury as before, but now there was a depth to them, a sense of something older and more dangerous.

The Minotaur roared, confusion and rage mixing into a guttural sound that reverberated through the depths. He did not know if this was real or merely an illusion, but he knew one thing: the boy was there once again, and he would destroy him.

They collided in the center of the arena, like two forces of nature. The Minotaur attacked with his brute strength, his muscular arms slicing through the air like axes, trying to crush the boy with a single blow. But to his surprise, the adventurer dodged with an almost supernatural ease. It was as if the boy was one step ahead of his movements, always anticipating each attack.

The Minotaur's eyes narrowed, confusion and fury growing with each moment. How was this possible? How was that human moving with such precision, such deadly grace? He remembered the previous fight; he remembered the boy, and he was nowhere near this speed now.

He was practically a tornado of flames and violence, moving with the agility of someone who had fought a thousand battles.

The Minotaur swung his arms in a devastating arc, his enormous claws trying to tear through the air and strike the boy, but he vanished from sight again, dodging with impossible swiftness. The monster growled in frustration, his body beginning to heat with the intensity of battle. Each step he took made the stones around him tremble, and sweat began to trickle down the coarse fur covering his body.

The boy spun through the air, the knife in his hand gleaming with a dark light, as if imbued with a different energy, something more dangerous than before. The Minotaur saw the glint of the red eyes fixed on him and, for a moment, felt a twinge of something he had never experienced before: doubt.

He was fighting against something beyond his understanding.

The battle continued, each movement of the adventurer seeming like a deadly dance. He attacked with surgical precision, targeting the Minotaur's weak points, cutting him with quick and efficient strikes. But the monster did not yield, his growing fury fueling his strength. He roared and charged, trying to catch the adventurer in a deadly embrace, but always failing.

The confusion continued to swell within the Minotaur. The boy was different, but he did not know how. It was not just the red hair or the embers surrounding him. It was the way he moved, as if he already knew exactly what to do, as if he had faced him many times before.

This unsettled him.

Each blow the boy struck, each dodge he made, was too precise, too calculated.

The Minotaur attacked with his brutal strength, but always missed by a hair's breadth. It was like fighting a shadow, something he could never reach. The boy seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once, his movements enveloped in that incandescent glow that confused him even further.

And then, in an instant, the boy's eyes—those red eyes that always haunted him—met his. But there was something different in that gaze. A weight, a darkness. Something the Minotaur could not comprehend, yet it made him hesitate for a brief second.

In that moment, he knew: something was very wrong. Something was beyond his understanding.

Before he could react, the boy lunged forward again, faster than before, and the sound of the blade cutting through the air was the last thing the Minotaur heard before feeling the pain explode in his chest.

However, the pain was not physical.

It was something deeper.

And for the first time, he did not know if that battle was real... or just the beginning of a new nightmare.

And then, everything went dark.

---

What's this, I posted two chapters in less than 1 month!?

I'll be honest, it was much longer than I expected; after all, it's just dinner at the Hostess of Fertility, but it ended up going over 15k words. I really didn't expect to write so much. I guess wanting to include so many details has its downsides, huh? I really hope it wasn't too boring for you; let me know.

I mentioned at the beginning that the start of this story would focus on the interaction between Bell and the other characters. So, if you're expecting some action, I ask for a little patience. If you think this story will have almost no action, then I'm sorry to inform you that you couldn't be more mistaken. There will be plenty of action. And most of it will be quite brutal.

It's not far off; there's a hint in this very chapter about where it will be. I won't give too many spoilers about what will happen, but Monsterphilia is coming up. And you certainly don't expect the poor Silverback to be Bell's opponent, do you? Anyway, I won't say more about that, but I can mention one last thing: it will be one of the first turning points in the story.

As for Hestia, some may not like her very much because of her personality. I won't change her personality just because I want to. If you don't like it, I can only say that there will be a change, but this change won't come out of nowhere. She will improve a lot, or at least I hope so.

I will try to keep the personalities of all the characters as canon as possible and the same as they were back then. I don't know if I'll succeed, but I'll try. However, of course, changes will happen as a consequence of Bell's actions.

Additionally, what did you think of the conversation between Bell and Hestia after they left the Hostess of Fertility? I tried my best with that dialogue, especially in how the Regressions have affected him.

And what the hell was that ending with Asterius? Well, I believe you can imagine what's coming, right?

Anyway, that's it. I hope to see you again in the next chapter, which I hope to release as quickly as this one. But only time will tell if I can, hehe.

See you in the next chapter!

Well, don't forget to comment what you thought of the chapter or theories :)

[Some people are asking if this story is a harem or just Hestia. It's really simple to say, but it wouldn't be fun. Who knows, maybe I'll reveal it in the next chapter in the author's notes? And then you'll have to come and read to confirm... hehe, see what I did there.]