Chapter 9: The Encounter

Bell darted through the dim corridors of the 4th floor, his knife flashing with precision as he engaged the goblins and kobolds that charged at him. His movements were fluid and deliberate, honed by weeks of practice. With each strike, another enemy fell, their magic stones clinking softly as they hit the ground.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Bell paused to catch his breath.

"It's been two weeks since I joined the Hestia Familia," he thought, glancing down at his weapon. The knife gleamed faintly in the dim light—a gift from his brother, Belle, on his last birthday. It was more than a weapon to him; it was a symbol of Belle's faith in him and a reminder of the strength he was striving to achieve.

"Goddess Hestia and Brother Belle believe in me. I can't let them down. I have to become stronger."

Satisfied with the haul of magic stones in his pouch, Bell climbed the stairs to the 5th floor, eager to challenge himself against stronger foes.

--

The air grew heavier on the 5th floor, the faint light casting ominous shadows across the jagged walls. As Bell ventured deeper, his sharp hearing picked up a distinct, thunderous sound.

His eyes widened as he turned the corner—a massive minotaur stood before him, its muscular frame dwarfing the narrow corridor.

"A minotaur? Here?!" Bell's heart raced. Monsters of this caliber weren't supposed to appear until the middle floors.

The beast locked eyes with Bell and snorted, its heavy hooves pounding the ground as it prepared to charge.

Bell gripped his knife tightly, taking a deep breath.

He dashed forward, aiming for the beast's exposed flank. But before he could strike, the minotaur let out a guttural roar and froze. A flash of movement streaked past Bell, faster than he could register, and the minotaur collapsed to the ground, split cleanly in two.

Bell blinked, frozen in shock. Blood splattered across his face and clothes, the warm crimson staining his armor. Slowly, he turned to see the person who had taken down the monster.

Standing before him was a young woman with golden hair that cascaded down her back, her calm golden eyes surveying him briefly. Her white-and-black battle attire hugged her athletic frame, and the bloodied sword in her hand glinted in the faint light.

It was Aiz Wallenstein, the "Sword Princess," one of Orario's most famous adventurers and a member of the Loki Familia.

Aiz tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice quiet and steady.

Bell opened his mouth to respond, but his voice caught in his throat. He wasn't afraid—he was utterly mesmerized. She was stunning, her ethereal beauty leaving him speechless.

Realizing he was staring, Bell's face flushed red. Instead of answering, he panicked, turned on his heel, and bolted back toward the exit, his heart pounding louder than the sound of his footsteps.

--

As Bell's retreating figure disappeared down the corridor, another figure emerged from the shadows. Bete Loga, a tall, silver-haired werewolf with sharp, wolf-like features, sauntered up beside Aiz. His mouth curled into a mocking grin as he watched Bell flee.

"Did you see that?" Bete laughed, his voice echoing through the cavern. "That kid ran off like a scared rabbit! Covered in blood and sprinting like his life depended on it."

Aiz's gaze lingered on the path Bell had taken. Her expression softened for a brief moment before she shook her head. "He wasn't scared," she murmured, almost as if speaking to herself.

Bete scoffed, crossing his arms. "Sure, whatever you say, princess. Still, that was pathetic." With a dismissive shrug, he turned and began walking back toward their group, his laughter trailing behind him.

Aiz remained still, her eyes fixed on the direction Bell had fled. After a moment, she sheathed her sword and silently followed Bete, her thoughts lingering on the boy with the crimson-stained clothes and the knife that had seemed so personal to him.

Bell sprinted through the crowded streets of Orario, the blood splattered across his clothes and face drawing shocked glances from the townsfolk. His heart was still racing from his encounter with the "Sword Princess," and he was desperate to reach the Guild.

Reaching the large marble building, Bell stumbled inside and immediately spotted a familiar figure—Eina Tulle, a half-elf receptionist with shoulder-length brown hair, emerald-green eyes, and a warm, kind demeanor. She was known for her professionalism and her deep concern for the safety of adventurers, especially those she advised.

Eina turned toward the entrance, her eyes widening in shock as she saw Bell. "Bell! What happened to you?!" she exclaimed, rushing over.

Bell glanced down at himself, realizing for the first time how horrifying he must look. "It's not my blood, I swear!" he said quickly, trying to calm her.

Eina grabbed his arm, pulling him toward a side room. "Go clean yourself up first! You can't walk around the Guild looking like this."

--

After washing up and changing into a clean shirt provided by the Guild, Bell sat across from Eina in a small, private room. Her arms were crossed, and she gave him a stern look, concern etched on her face.

"Alright, Bell," she began, "why were you covered in blood? What happened in the dungeon?"

Bell hesitated before answering. "I... ran into a minotaur."

Eina's eyes widened in alarm. "A minotaur?! Bell, what were you doing in the middle floors? You're only a Level 2, and you don't have a party. That's far too dangerous!"

Bell quickly shook his head. "No, no, I didn't go to the middle floors! The minotaur was on the 5th floor."

Eina's expression softened as she leaned back, processing this. "The 5th floor? That's... unusual. It must have wandered up from the middle floors somehow." She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Still, you need to be extra careful, Bell. Even with that knife, you could've been seriously hurt."

Bell smiled sheepishly. "The blood wasn't mine—it was the minotaur's."

Eina frowned in confusion. "Wait, are you telling me you killed it?"

Bell shook his head. "No, I didn't. Someone else did."

"Who?"

Bell's expression brightened slightly as he recalled the encounter. "It was... Aiz Wallenstein. She's the one who killed the minotaur."

Eina blinked, her emerald eyes widening. "The Sword Princess? A Level 5 adventurer from the Loki Familia?"

Bell nodded eagerly. "That's her! She's amazing. But..." He hesitated, his face reddening. "Do you, um, know what she's like? Does she have... someone special?"

Eina stared at him for a moment before her lips curled into a knowing smile. "Bell... don't tell me you've fallen in love with her?"

Bell's face turned crimson, and he stammered, waving his hands. "N-No! It's not like that! I just—"

Eina chuckled, cutting him off. "It's alright, Bell. You're not the first adventurer to fall for the Sword Princess. She's beautiful, strong, and kind... but she's also known for turning down every man who's ever approached her. And the goddess Loki is very protective of her."

Bell's shoulders slumped slightly, a look of dejection crossing his face.

Eina softened her tone, leaning forward. "But that doesn't mean it's impossible. If you truly want her to notice you, you'll need to become stronger—strong enough to stand by her side."

Bell's dejection faded, replaced by determination. He clenched his fists, his crimson eyes shining with resolve. "You're right, Eina. I'll become stronger. Strong enough that she'll have no choice but to notice me!"

Eina smiled warmly. "That's the spirit. But don't rush into danger, alright? Take things one step at a time."

Bell stood, giving her a grateful smile. "Thank you, Eina. I'll do my best."

As he left the Guild, his thoughts were filled with Aiz Wallenstein and the promise he silently made to himself: "I'll become someone worthy of standing by her side."

Bell was sprinting toward the dungeon, his resolve burning stronger than ever. As he wove through the streets, determined to prove himself, a soft voice called out to him.

"Excuse me!"

Bell skidded to a stop and turned toward the source of the voice. A young woman with silver-gray hair tied in a braided ponytail, pale blue eyes, and a warm, inviting smile was walking toward him. She wore a modest gray dress and carried an air of gentle elegance.

"You dropped this," she said, holding out a small monster crystal.

Bell blinked in surprise and looked at the crystal in her hand. "I... did?" He was certain he had converted all the crystals he collected into valis earlier at the Guild.

The girl nodded, still smiling. "I saw it fall while you were running. Here, take it."

Bell accepted the crystal, bowing slightly in gratitude. "Thank you. I must've missed it somehow."

As he straightened up, his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl. The sound echoed awkwardly between them, and Bell's face turned red with embarrassment.

The girl giggled softly, her laugh light and melodic. "Sounds like someone's hungry," she teased.

Before Bell could stammer out a response, she continued, "Wait here for a moment."

Bell watched, confused, as she disappeared around the corner and returned moments later carrying a small basket. She handed it to him, revealing a neatly packed lunch of bread, cheese, and roasted meat.

"Here, take this," she said, her smile never wavering.

Bell stared at the food, his hands hesitating. "I can't... I mean, I appreciate it, but I can't take this for free."

The girl shook her head, her expression firm yet kind. "It's fine. Consider it a gift. But if you really feel bad, you can always visit the pub and pay us a visit sometime."

Bell's eyes flicked past her to the building behind her. The sign read The Hostess of Fertility, and it looked like a lively place, with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses drifting through the windows.

He finally accepted the food, bowing deeply. "Thank you so much. I'll make sure to stop by."

The girl's smile widened slightly. "I'll hold you to that. What's your name?"

Bell straightened up, meeting her eyes. "I'm Bell Cranel. And you?"

The girl tilted her head slightly, her silver-gray braid shifting as she did. "Syr Flova. It's nice to meet you, Bell Cranel."

Bell nodded, holding the basket close to his chest. "Thank you again, Syr. I'll see you at the pub sometime."

With that, he turned and hurried off toward the dungeon, the warmth of her kindness lingering in his heart. Syr watched him go, her smile softening as she whispered to herself, "He's an interesting one, isn't he?"

Inside the dungeon, Bell Cranel navigated the dimly lit corridors of the 9th floor. His movements were sharp and precise as he dealt with a group of War Shadows. Their shadowy forms flickered menacingly, but Bell's knife gleamed in the faint light as he dispatched them one by one.

His breathing steady, he ventured deeper, reaching the 11th floor. The environment grew heavier, and the air was thick with the scent of danger. A group of Orcs lumbered toward him, their guttural roars echoing through the cavern. Bell readied his knife, dodging their heavy blows with ease and countering with swift strikes to their vulnerable points.

As he pushed further, more Orcs surrounded him, their numbers growing overwhelming. Bell's mind raced, but then he thought of Aiz Wallenstein, the Sword Princess who had saved him. Her elegance, strength, and fearlessness filled his mind, inspiring him.

"I want to be stronger," he thought. "Stronger than her. Strong enough to stand proudly in front of Brother, to make him and everyone I care about proud."

With renewed determination, Bell surged forward, his knife slashing with increased precision and ferocity. The Orcs fell one after another, and soon the cavern was silent. Bell stood amidst the carnage, breathing heavily but triumphant.

--

Later, Bell returned to the rundown church that served as his home. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the city. As he opened the door, he was greeted by his goddess.

"Welcome home, Bell," Hestia said, her warm smile lighting up the room. "How was your day in the dungeon?"

Bell smiled back, removing his gear. "It went well. I fought some War Shadows and Orcs, but..." He hesitated, recalling the earlier encounter.

Hestia noticed his pause. "But?"

Bell scratched the back of his head. "A Minotaur appeared on the 5th floor. It surprised me, but someone else defeated it before I could."

Hestia's eyes widened in shock. "A Minotaur? On the 5th floor?!"

Bell nodded. "Yeah, it's strange, right? I didn't expect to see something like that so early."

Hestia crossed her arms, her expression a mix of worry and relief. "Bell, you shouldn't have any trouble with a Minotaur, but still... Be careful. The dungeon is unpredictable."

Bell nodded earnestly. "I will, Goddess."

Hestia smiled softly and gestured for him to sit down. "Let's update your status and see how you've grown."

Bell removed his shirt, and Hestia pricked her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto his back. The divine magic activated, revealing his updated stats:

--

Bell Cranel

Level: 2

Race: Human

Familia: Hestia

Strength: H 123 - G 243

Agility: G 245 - F 300

Endurance: H 120 - G 200

Dexterity: H 199 - G 298

Mana: I 0

Skills:

Dreamweaver: Increases the user's speed of growth. The more the user desires to fulfill their aspirations, the faster they grow. However, as a side effect, it nullifies all status alignments, preventing the user from having any specific affinities or weaknesses.

Development Abilities:

Clairvoyance: I

--

Hestia stared at the status sheet, her eyes widening. "Bell, your stats increased a lot! You're growing so fast."

Bell looked down, a small smile on his face. "It's all thanks to your support, Goddess."

Hestia chuckled. "Well, keep it up. But don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

Bell nodded. "I won't."

Hestia stood up and stretched. "Alright, I'm heading to work. You should get some rest".

As she left, Bell sat alone in the quiet church. He clenched his fists, his heart filled with determination.

"I'll become stronger," he thought. "For Goddess Hestia, for Brother, for everyone I care about. I'll make them proud."

--