It was rainy day. Pouring everywhere on the sttreets of a capital within thr Far East, whrre the highest ranking gods and goddesses stayed within the Nation.

There was also the smell of blood in the air, as guild officials and members of low-class Familias were gathered, doing their job. Their jobs of cleaning the bloody battle that had occured the night before, and a woman could be seen craddling the corpse of a man, who had huge slash marks on his chest and a slit throat. The woman cried and cried, but the man was gone forever, and from a distance, a young boy, hair as white as snow and eyes as red as blood watched in silence... and hints of guilt in his eyes.

"How are you strong?"

The question threw him for a loop. Someone as reputable as Aiz Wallenstein asking that was... off to him, especially since he knew he wasn't strong. Not when he—

"If you are strong, then why do you cut down others?" A soft, feminine voice rang through his memories, making him pause.

"I'm... not strong, Wallenstein-san." He finally said with a smile, trying to brush off the uncomfortable feeling. "I'm just lucky, that's all."

With that, he picked up the minotaur horn, his gaze lingering on it for a moment before offering one to her. Aiz looked confused, or at least he thought so, judging by the way she tilted her head at him.

"Well, this was originally your prey, so it's only good manners to give you your share." Bell said with a light chuckle. He placed the horn gently into her hands and began gathering his things.

As he stood to leave, he glanced back at her with a small but genuine smile.

"See you around, Wallenstein-san."

With that, he turned and made his way back up to the surface, leaving Aiz standing there, the weight of his words lingering in the air, and her thoughts drifting with the silence of the Dungeon around them.

As he reached the surface, Bell gave his report to Eina, who immediately started fussing at him. "Minotaurs are supposed to be on the deeper floors!" she scolded, her tone sharp. "What were you thinking, going so down with that kind of monster around?"

Bell sighed, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I can handle it, Eina. You know I'm not a level one beginner. Plus, the minotaur came out of nowhere and it was only on the 9th floor and not anywhere lower." he reminded her. His mind flashed to the time he spent in the Far East, where warriors were trained rigorously from a young age. It wasn't that he hadn't fought monsters before, it was just a matter of the Dungeon's unexpected challenges.

Still, Eina was unconvinced. "That may be, but you're still a newbie here! I have to report this to the Guild. I'll get the Loki and Ganesha Familia to check things out." Her face scrunched up as she thought about the extra work involved.

Bell chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to cause so much trouble..." He gave her a quick pat on the shoulder, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, it won't happen again."

Eina could only sigh in response, rubbing her temples. "I just worry about you, Bell. Please don't take on anything too dangerous."

"Of course," Bell assured her, already gathering his things. He had exchanged his loot and magic stones, including the monster loot, but kept the horn for himself. The haul was more than enough to put him in a good position, and as he handed over his coins to the Guild, his eyes widened when he saw the amount.

"One million Valis!" Bell muttered to himself, stunned. He had never seen so much money in his life. His good day just got a whole lot better. A million Valis meant more than just wealth—it could mean progress, better gear, and more security for both himself and Hestia.

He grinned, feeling a sense of pride. Maybe being here, despite everything, was turning out to be more than just a chance for survival.

He was walking along the street, humming a happy tune for his great luck so far, until—

"Oops! Sorry for bumping into you, kid-nya!" a brown cat-person girl said, wearing a green hostess uniform. She quickly bowed apologetically before running off to whatever she was doing. Bell couldn't help but freeze for a second, the word "kid" ringing in his ears.

Kid…?

He knew he was short for his age, but he was 17, not a child! Frustration bubbled inside him, but he sighed, calming himself down. There was no need to let it bother him. He was used to this, after all. It was just a little annoying, that's all.

Continuing his walk, he began to think about his next move. Now that his guild-issued katana had shattered, he needed a new one. He could fight with his reverse blade, of course, but that was meant for human opponents—not monsters. Plus, it would be awkward to constantly switch it around every time he fought. He needed a proper weapon for dungeon crawling, something that could withstand the wear and tear his level 3 strength could inflict.

His thoughts drifted to the Hephaestus Familia, known far and wide for their legendary blacksmithing. If any place could offer a blade that would stand up to his power, it would be there. After all, if his current sword couldn't handle his strength, surely a weapon crafted by the Hephaestus Familia would be up to the task.

He nodded to himself. That was the place to go. Now, he just needed to find out where exactly to go for their services. But that could wait—he had some time before heading back to Hestia-sama.

As he made himself determined to get a blade from them, he had forgotten one simple thing.

"8 million for just this sword..." Bell murmured in disbelief, eyes wide as he stared at the price tag in the Hephaestus Familia store's window. It didn't take long to find the shops, but seeing the price nearly made his jaw drop. 8 million Valis for a single sword? Not even the 1 million he had earned from the dungeon was anywhere near enough.

Bell sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried to calm down. He wasn't about to give up yet. The Hephaestus Familia was known for being skilled blacksmiths, but not every single one of them was crafting weapons of that caliber. Surely there were cheaper options. He glanced around at the other shops in the area. There had to be more affordable swords available from those who weren't at the top of their craft but were still talented enough to forge a blade that could handle a high-level adventurer's strength.

"Maybe a more basic katana will do for now," he muttered to himself. "Something that'll hold up without breaking like the Guild-issued one."

He began to stroll along the street, peering inside different shops, hoping to find something within his budget. There were a few smaller stores run by apprentices, and the prices for their weapons were far more reasonable. Bell kept his hopes up as he entered the next shop, his eyes scanning the shelves for something that might fit his needs.

If he was lucky, he'd find a katana that wasn't too expensive but still sturdy enough for his dungeon runs.

Walking around and seeing for any signs of a smith that would work with him, he eventually found a weird site, in which a red-haired young man was arguing with another older bald man.

"Come on! Just put my stuff on the shelves! It will sell for sure!" The redhead exclaimed. The older man sighed in exasperation, "And I told you for the tenth time, you're shit ain't selling for months! That's why I put them in the back, instead of upfront."

The redhead grumbled, and Bell made his way there to see what was up. "Hello, sirs. What might you both be arguing about?" Bell said, gaining the attention of the two men. Instantly, the redhead gained a glint in his eyes as he saw the broken katana at Bell's side and grabbed Bell's hand, "You! You interested in some gear?!" He asked excitedly, to which Bell could only look confused and let out a "Oro?", that drew a narrowed-eyed expression from the older bald man, but he didn't say a thing.

Bell blinked in confusion as the red-haired blacksmith held his hand with an excited expression, practically bouncing in place.

"Uh... well, yeah, I am looking for a new sword," Bell admitted, scratching his cheek. "But I need something affordable and durable. My last one didn't hold up too well in the Dungeon."

The redhead grinned widely and patted Bell's shoulder. "Then you're in luck! I'm Welf Crozzo, and I just happen to have the perfect weapon for you!" He turned to the bald shopkeeper with a triumphant smirk. "See? Told you someone would come looking for my work!"

The older man rolled his eyes. "That remains to be seen, kid. Go on, show him what you got."

Welf eagerly led Bell into the shop, past the main display area, and into a storage room where several weapons were placed on racks. He gestured to a collection of swords, but one in particular caught Bell's eye—a katana with a sleek black sheath and a simple but well-crafted hilt.

Bell reached out and grasped the handle, feeling an immediate sense of familiarity. The weight was perfect—not too heavy, not too light. Drawing the blade, he inspected the craftsmanship. The steel gleamed in the dim light, and he could tell it was far better quality than the Guild-issued katana he had before.

"How much for this one?" Bell asked, his curiosity piqued.

Welf crossed his arms and smirked. "Normally, something like this would go for a few million Valis... but since I really want my weapons to get out there, I'll give you a special discount. How about 500,000 Valis?"

Bell's eyes widened. "Wait, really? That cheap?"

The bald shopkeeper scoffed from the doorway. "He's desperate, that's why. Kid's got talent but no reputation, and no one trusts a Crozzo blade."

Bell looked between Welf and the shopkeeper. He had heard the name Crozzo before—something about their family being cursed with magic weapons. He hesitated for a moment before looking back at Welf, who seemed to stiffen at the mention of his name.

Bell then smiled. "I don't really care about that. If this katana is sturdy and well-made, then that's all that matters to me."

Welf looked surprised for a second before he grinned. "You've got good instincts, man. I promise you won't regret it!"

Bell handed over the 500,000 Valis, and Welf secured the blade in a cloth wrapping before handing it to him. "If you ever need maintenance or custom work, just come find me. I'll hook you up."

"Thanks, Welf-san," Bell said, giving the blade one last appreciative look before securing it at his waist. He felt good about this purchase.

With that, he left the store, content that he found a blade that would be useful for awhile and possibly a good friend. Who knows, but Bell decided to think positively about this.

As Bell left, the older man decided to turn his attention towards Welf, who looked to be excited at his first ever prospect that might return to buy more from him. "Welf, watch your back." The older man said, as he cleaned the shelves without looking at Welf, who looked at the man with a smug expression, "Why? Because I'm going to have a great customer coming back to me."

"Nah, I'm saying to watch your back around that kid. He's not an average adventurer for sure if I think he is who I think he is." With out kissing a beat or turning, the older man replied. Welf just looked confused before shrugging his shoulders. Oh well, who cares if he was dangerous. Everyone in Orario was to soem degree, but the kid, who reminded him of a rabbit because of his white hair and red eyes, didn't seem to be that much of a danger.

"Whatever, as long as he comes back for more and maintenance and not magic swords, then he's my customer." Welf nonchalantly said, before heading back to his forge, to which the older man just sighed.

The older man continued to work, meticulously wiping down the shelves while his eyes occasionally flicked toward the door. He wasn't worried about Welf's enthusiasm; the kid had talent, but he was too naive. He had seen enough adventurers come and go to know that not all of them were what they appeared to be. The one that just left had a presence about him that made the older man pause.

Bell, with his white hair and red eyes... the man had seen those features before. He was no stranger to the stories that circulated in Orario, especially about powerful adventurers from the Far East. But the kid wasn't just a high-level adventurer; something about him set off alarms in the old man's mind.

If the kid was who he thought he was, he was more than just a threat—he was a potential game-changer in the city, one that could shift the balance of power in an instant. The older man didn't need to know the full details of Bell's past to understand that. There was a darkness there, one that had yet to be fully revealed. It was best to stay cautious, especially with someone who seemed so out of place among the usual adventurer crowd.

But Welf didn't see it. He was too wrapped up in the excitement of his first big sale, too eager to prove himself. The older man shook his head, muttering under his breath, "A fool and his money are easily parted." He wasn't worried about Welf's future—he knew that the kid's pride and raw talent would carry him through in time. But when it came to Bell, well… that was a different story.

--

Meanwhile, Bell walked through the streets of Orario, his new katana securely strapped to his waist. He couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment; it wasn't just about getting a new sword, it was about proving to himself that he could handle the future that was unfolding before him. The city's bustle seemed more lively than before, the faces of adventurers and townsfolk more welcoming. He was fitting into this new life, bit by bit.

However, as he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone, or something, was watching him. He glanced around, but saw nothing unusual—just the usual mix of adventurers, merchants, and locals going about their business.

Still, the sense of unease lingered in the back of his mind, the same feeling he had whenever he was being watched by someone more experienced than himself. Whether it was from his time in the Far East, or from his current life as an adventurer, that feeling never really went away. He wasn't sure what it meant, but he'd learned long ago that instincts like that were something to take seriously.

With a sigh, he turned his focus back to the task at hand. He was still new to Orario, still learning the ropes, but he couldn't afford to slow down now. There was more to do. And more to learn.

As he made his way back to the Hestia Familia's home, a thought crossed his mind—perhaps it was time to test out his new weapon in the Dungeon tomorrow. But for now, he needed rest. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would be even longer.

As Bell continued his walk back to the Hestia Familia's home, he remained unaware of the two figures watching him from the rooftops above. The woman in the kimono, Kaguya, with her dark hair cascading around her shoulders and a prosthetic silver arm, had a gaze that seemed to pierce through the crowd below. Her companion, Ryuu, an elven woman draped in a green cloak with a mask obscuring much of her face, kept her sharp blue eyes focused on Bell with an intensity that hinted at distrust.

"Is that who I think it is, Kaguya..." Ryuu's voice was low, edged with suspicion, yet it carried an unmistakable hint of recognition.

Kaguya chuckled softly, her smile curling with both fondness and malice. "Hmm... I believe it is, Ryuu. I can't believe that he's here. Even though he looks the same as he did years back from his photos, it's him. No doubt about it." She shifted slightly, her gaze locking onto Bell with a chilling mix of excitement and something darker.

"I can't believe the Battousai of the Susanoo Familia is here."

Kaguya's words hung in the air like a promise, her smile growing colder. "A living legend... perhaps I'll get to see him in action once more. Maybe even..." Her voice trailed off, her thoughts known only to her.

Ryuu's narrowed eyes remained fixed on Bell, a tension rising between them. She had heard whispers about the young man—rumors of his past and his skills. But seeing him in person, so far from the Far East and in a new city, it unsettled her. She couldn't understand why someone like him would come to Orario, let alone continue his life as an adventurer after what happened.

Kaguya seemed unfazed by the dangerous potential that Bell represented. In fact, the gleam in her eye suggested she was looking forward to the encounter, whatever it might bring. After all, the Battousai was a warrior of legend—someone who had survived, thrived, and left a trail of devastation in his wake.

The tension in the air grew as Bell took another step toward his destination, oblivious to the two women observing him from afar. Both Kaguya and Ryuu knew that they would have to make a choice soon—whether to engage with him and uncover his true nature, or to leave him to his own devices. But one thing was clear: Bell's presence in Orario was no coincidence. And the consequences of crossing paths with the Battousai were never small.