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.

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"Don't entrust your destiny to others

Forge your own path

Bell."

Grandfather instantly died during a monster attack in the mountains..

Clenching his fist, eyes once filled with tears now burning full of determination, the young man stood tall amidst the grief.

"Grandfather," he whispered, his voice heavy yet firm, a new sense of purpose fueling him. "I've decided to become an Adventurer."

With one last, lingering look inside the home where he and his grandfather had lived, Bell felt the weight of every shared memory. His heart ached, but it was time to move forward. He said his final goodbye, the door closing behind him with a soft click as he stepped into the unknown.

The journey to Orario awaited.

-Orario-

Orario, the Labyrinth City, was a place of constant movement and chaos. At its center stood the Tower of Babel, towering above everything, casting a shadow over the city below. Beneath the tower lay the Dungeon, a dangerous maze that adventurers risked their lives to explore, seeking fame, fortune, and glory.

The streets were always alive with activity—merchants shouting over their wares, adventurers bragging about their latest conquests, and the occasional roar of a monster echoing from the Dungeon's depths. Guilds and Familias controlled much of the city's life, with gods walking among mortals, guiding their followers. Orario is where Heroes are made.

.

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Knock Knock "Excuse me!" The door creaked open, revealing a man in his mid-thirties, his face filled with confusion at the sight of a young boy standing before him.

"What is it?" he asked, eyeing the boy.

"May I join your Familia?" the boy asked, his voice full of hope.

The man gave him a quick glance, sizing up his thin frame. He scoffed. "You're so skinny you won't even be able to lift a sword."

The boy's expression fell at the harsh response, his face turning downcast. "Get lost!" the man grumbled, before slamming the door shut with a resounding thud.

Stepping back from the door, he couldn't help but question himself. How many times will I get rejected? This was the 27th time in a row. Though doubt began to creep in, he refused to give up.

He tried again. "You're joking, right?"

"Aw, I'll only accept you as my pet rabbit," came the cruel reply.

Despite the harsh words, he stood firm, determined not to give up, no matter how many times he was turned away.

It was getting dark, he needed something to eat, a place to stay. With the remaining valis that he had he proceeded to buy from aJagamarukun vendor and rented a place to sleep for the night.

He sat down on the far side of the bed, his hands trembling slightly as he brought the fried potato to his lips. The taste was almost lost on him as tears flowed down his cheeks, silent and steady. "What should I do now, Grandpa..." he whispered, his voice breaking with the weight of the question.

The room was quiet, save for the soft sound of his chewing and the occasional sniffle as he fought to steady himself. He finished the food, but the emptiness inside him remained, a gnawing reminder of the loss that had shattered his world. With a sigh, he wiped away his tears, his hand lingering on his face for a moment as if trying to erase the sorrow completely.

Lying back on the bed, he stared up at the ceiling, unable to find comfort in the stillness of the room. His mind raced, filled with doubt and frustration. "How can I be a hero now...?" he whispered softly, his heart heavy with the weight of the unspoken words.

The question lingered in the silence, unanswered, as he drifted off into an uneasy sleep, the sound of his quiet sobs fading into the dark.

.

.

"Beat it kid"

"A scrawny kid like you will only be a liability."

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"You'll be nothing more than monster bait."

"Wait! Hear me out, please!" The boy begged desperately, using his shoulder to force the door to stay open.

"Beat it, kid!" the god yelled, pushing him back with a force that seemed endless.

With no blessing to aid him, the boy lost their contest of strength and stumbled backward. The door slammed shut with a deafening "SLAM!". Struggling, he pushed himself up, his determination still burning, despite the weight of failure.

As he walked away, people couldn't help but stare. Vendors whispered among themselves, their voices laced with pity. "Such a sad sight," one of them murmured, shaking their head. But the boy didn't stop. He kept moving forward, the fire in his heart refusing to be extinguished.

But then, as he walked through the streets, his mind swirling with disappointment, a voice broke out.

"Hey, kid! Wait up!"

The boy turned, startled, to see a Small figure standing at the edge of an alley. The unknown person's expression was kind but slightly amused, as if she had been watching him for a while.

" You're not giving up, are you?" the unknown person asked, her voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and something else, something like hope.

The boy hesitated. His heart was heavy, his feet dragging, but the person's words lingered in the air. "I... I don't know," he muttered, his voice weak.

The person stepped closer revealing the Jagamarukun vendor from yesterday, her gaze steady and unwavering. There was a quiet intensity in the way she looked at the boy, like she understood the struggle all too well. "You look like you've been knocked down a few times," she said with a soft chuckle. "But that's not the end, kid. That's just the beginning."

The boy's eyes lifted to meet his. He was used to hearing people tell him to give up, to stop trying. But this woman, this stranger seemed different?

"Keep going," the woman continued. "Don't stop just because it's hard. Everyone has to fight for their place. Even gods had to start somewhere."

The boy swallowed, his heart pounding in his chest. He had been rejected, humiliated, and told time and time again that he wasn't good enough. And yet, this stranger believed in him, and that's when he realized She's the...

"You're the vendor from yesterday...?" the young boy questioned, his voice tinged with surprise.

The woman smiled softly, her eyes warm. "When I saw you, I knew that we we're the same."

The boy blinked, confused. "Same?"

"I decided to observe you," she continued, her tone gentle but firm. "Since this morning, I've been following you."

The boy's confusion deepened. What worth was there in observing him? He felt like a failure, a constant target of ridicule and rejection. Did she see something in him that he didn't? Every encounter, every door slammed in his face, had only made him doubt his worth. So why would she take such an interest in him?

He had been humiliated, turned away by gods, laughed at by vendors, and pitied by strangers. What could someone like her possibly see in him?

"Why?" the boy finally asked, his voice uncertain.

The woman's expression softened, and she stepped a little closer. "Because I see your determination. Even after all the rejection, you keep pushing forward. Most people would have given up by now, but you haven't. You're stronger than you think."

Her words caught him off guard, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Stronger? He didn't feel strong. He felt like he was barely holding on, struggling with every step he took.

But something in her eyes—something that wasn't pity, but understanding—made him feel a flicker of hope, however faint it was.

"I... I don't know if I'm strong," he muttered, looking down at his feet. "I've been told I'm not. That I'm not worth the time or effort."

The woman gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Those who succeed don't let the world decide who they are. They decide for themselves."

The boy looked up, still unsure, but something in her words resonated deep within him. Before he could respond, the woman grinned and proudly introduced herself.

"I'm Hestia!"

The boy blinked, confused. "Like the goddess Hestia?"

"I'm tha Goddess Hestia!" she replied with a confident nod, her eyes sparkling. "So, what about you? What's your name?"

He hesitated for a moment, the weight of his past failures still heavy on him. But with her encouragement, something stirred within him.

"...My name... is Bell Cranel."

Hestia's eyes lit up. "Well, Bell-kun," she said with a warm smile, "would you like to join my Familia?"

The words hung in the air, offering a glimmer of hope where there had been none before.

-DANMACHI-