Chapter 11: "MonsterFeria".

Bell Cranel woke up feeling refreshed, the early morning sunlight streaming through the worn windows of the small church. Hestia greeted him with a smile as he sat down, ready for his status update.

--

Hestia Familia Status Update:

Name: Bell Cranel

Level: 2

Race: Human

Familia: Hestia

Attributes:

Strength: C 678

Agility: B 756

Endurance: C 698

Dexterity: B 701

Mana: I 0

Magic:

Pyrope: A self-healing magic that allows the user to heal their injuries. The effectiveness of the healing depends on the user's magic stat.

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 looked at the update and gasped in surprise. "Bell! You finally unlocked magic! And it's healing magic no less. It's called Pyrope."

Bell's eyes widened with excitement. "Healing magic? That's amazing, Goddess! What does it do?"

Hestia smiled. "It seems you can use it to heal yourself, but only yourself. The strength of the healing depends on your magic stat." She glanced at his mana stat. "Since your magic stat is still at zero, the healing might not be very powerful yet. But as you grow stronger, it'll become an invaluable tool in your adventures."

Bell clenched his fists, his heart swelling with happiness. "Thank you, Goddess! This will really help me in the dungeon."

Hestia placed a hand on his shoulder and said warmly, "It's all because of your hard work, Bell. Just be careful and don't push yourself too hard, even with healing magic."

Bell nodded enthusiastically. "I will, Goddess! I'll use this magic to protect myself and make you proud."

Hestia smiled at his determination. "You already make me proud, Bell."

With his spirits high, Bell prepared for another day of adventuring, eager to test his newfound magic and continue his journey toward becoming stronger.

Bell's Return to the Dungeon

Bell stepped onto the 16th floor, his determination unwavering. The last time he ventured here, he'd been forced to retreat due to injuries. This time, he vowed it would be different.

As he ventured deeper into the labyrinth, the sound of hooves echoed ominously. From the shadows, a pack of minotaurs charged toward him, their roars reverberating through the dungeon.

Bell tightened his grip on his knife, his crimson eyes gleaming with resolve. "Let's do this."

The first wave of minotaurs came at him, but Bell moved swiftly, sidestepping their attacks with ease. With precise slashes, he dispatched them one by one. Even when the entire pack surrounded him, Bell remained calm.

He dashed to his right, his knife slicing through the minotaurs effortlessly. Then, spinning on his heel, he charged toward the left, taking out the remaining monsters with a series of rapid strikes.

One minotaur managed to graze his shoulder with its axe before Bell struck it down. He glanced at the shallow wound and smirked. "Time to test this out."

He stepped back and said confidently, "Pyrope."

A warm orange light enveloped his body, and he felt a soothing sensation as the wound on his shoulder closed up instantly. Bell touched the healed skin, a grin spreading across his face. "Amazing! This magic is incredible."

Before he could celebrate further, he sensed movement in the distance. Two figures emerged from the shadows, their presence commanding.

It was Aiz Wallenstein and Riveria Ljos Alf, both from the Loki Familia.

Bell's heart skipped a beat as he recognized them. Without thinking, he turned and sprinted away, his face burning with embarrassment.

Why am I running? he berated himself as he darted through the dungeon corridors. I should be thanking her for helping me before... not running away like this!

Still, his feet didn't stop until the figures of Aiz and Riveria were far behind him, leaving Bell to wrestle with his thoughts as he continued deeper into the dungeon.

Aiz's Perspective

After defeating Udaeus, the floor boss of the 17th floor, Aiz walked silently beside Riveria on their way back to the surface. The battle had been a personal challenge—Aiz had insisted on facing Udaeus alone, testing her strength against the powerful undead warrior. While it had been difficult, she emerged victorious, though not without expending considerable effort.

As they made their way through the dungeon, Aiz's sharp senses picked up movement ahead. Her golden eyes locked onto a white-haired figure darting through the shadows. She quickly recognized him as the boy from the 5th floor, the one drenched in blood after the minotaur incident.

She stopped in her tracks, watching him retreat into the labyrinthine corridors.

"What is it?" Riveria asked, noticing Aiz's sudden pause.

"I saw someone," Aiz replied softly.

Riveria raised an eyebrow. "Someone? Who?"

"The adventurer from the 5th floor," Aiz said.

Riveria's expression grew curious. "The one Bete couldn't stop laughing about? If I remember correctly, he said the boy was a rookie. What is a beginner doing this deep in the dungeon? This is the 16th floor."

Aiz remained silent, her eyes lingering on where Bell had disappeared. From the brief glimpse, she had seen something different—his movements were sharp and purposeful, far from the floundering rookie Bete had mocked.

Riveria crossed her arms, observing Aiz's thoughtful expression. "You seem unusually interested in him. Why?"

Aiz didn't respond immediately, her expression calm but introspective. Finally, she said quietly, "I wonder... if he's alright."

Riveria sighed lightly. "He's either overestimating himself or trying to prove something. Neither is particularly unusual for young adventurers."

Aiz turned her gaze forward, her thoughts still lingering on Bell as they resumed their journey to the surface. Though she didn't follow him, the image of the white-haired boy stayed in her mind, a faint curiosity sparking within her.

Bell ascended through the dungeon, his thoughts scattered as he moved closer to the surface. He felt stronger than ever after his recent victories, yet the sight of Aiz and Riveria still lingered in his mind. Shaking off the distraction, he made his way back to his small home.

As he approached the church, he noticed Hestia standing near the entrance, a bright smile on her face.

"Welcome back, Bell!" she greeted warmly, but there was a glint of excitement in her eyes that caught Bell's attention.

"Goddess, is something going on?" Bell asked, tilting his head curiously.

Hestia clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly. "Well, actually, yes. I'm going to a party tonight, and I wanted to ask you something before I go."

"A party?" Bell blinked in surprise. "What kind of party?"

"Just a gathering of gods and goddesses," Hestia replied casually. "But that's not important. What's important is... what kind of weapon would you prefer?"

Bell frowned, confused. "Why are you asking me that?"

Hestia's grin widened. "Because I'm going to meet Hephaistos at the party, and I plan to ask her to make a weapon for you!"

Bell's eyes widened. "Wait, Hephaistos? As in the Hephaistos Familia? Isn't that... really expensive?"

Hestia waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that. Hephaistos is a friend of mine, and I'll make it work somehow. You've been doing so well, and I want to support you!"

Bell hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright... if that's the case, I'd prefer a sword. Something light but strong, so I can move quickly."

Hestia nodded, her expression serious for a moment as she mentally noted his preference. Then, with her usual cheerful demeanor, she said, "Got it! I'll see what I can do."

"Are you sure about this, Goddess? I don't want to cause trouble for you..." Bell said, his tone uncertain.

Hestia placed her hands on her hips and huffed. "Bell, don't underestimate me! I'll be back in three days with some good news, so don't worry about a thing!"

With that, she gave him a quick wave and left, leaving Bell to watch her go with a mixture of gratitude and concern. As he entered the church, he couldn't help but feel a little excited about the possibility of wielding a weapon crafted by the legendary Hephaistos Familia.

Three days later, Bell sat at his usual spot in the Hostess of Fertility, enjoying a steaming bowl of noodles for lunch. The lively chatter of patrons filled the air, but Bell couldn't help but notice something felt different today.

As he finished the last bite, Syr approached him with her characteristic warm smile. "So, Bell, how's the food today? Good as always?"

Bell looked up, smiling back. "Yeah, it's great as usual. By the way, where's Ryuu? I noticed she isn't around today."

Syr's smile turned sly as she leaned in slightly. "Oh? Why are you asking about Ryuu? Should I be jealous, Bell? Here I am, standing right in front of you, and you're thinking about someone else."

Bell's face turned a deep shade of red, and he quickly waved his hands in denial. "N-no, it's not like that! I just noticed she wasn't here, that's all!"

Syr chuckled, clearly enjoying his flustered reaction. "Relax, Bell. I'm just teasing you." She straightened up, her playful expression softening. "Ryuu's out patrolling with her Familia today. It's Monster Feria, after all."

"Monster Feria?" Bell repeated, tilting his head in confusion.

Syr's eyes lit up. "It's a festival held in Orario where monster tamers show off the monsters they've captured from the dungeon. There are all kinds of events and performances involving the monsters. It's quite the spectacle!"

Bell frowned slightly. "They bring monsters out of the dungeon? Isn't that dangerous?"

Syr waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry about that. The Ganesha Familia is in charge of overseeing the festival. They're experts at handling monsters, so everything will be perfectly safe."

"I see," Bell replied, though a hint of doubt lingered in his voice.

Syr then leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him. "Are you heading to the dungeon today, Bell?"

Bell shook his head. "Not today. I figured I'd take a day off."

"Do you have any plans, then?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Not really," Bell admitted, shrugging.

A mischievous smile spread across Syr's face. "In that case, how about coming to the Monster Feria with me? It's much more fun when you have company!"

Bell blinked, surprised by the invitation. He hesitated for a moment but then smiled. "Sure, that sounds like fun. I'd love to go."

"Great!" Syr said, clapping her hands together. "Finish up your lunch, and we'll head there together. You'll see—Monster Feria is something you don't want to miss!"

Bell couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement about the day ahead, though he also wondered if Syr's teasing was just getting started.

Bell and Syr strolled through the bustling streets, heading toward the stadium where the Monster Feria was in full swing. The vibrant atmosphere was infectious—colorful banners adorned the streets, and the air was filled with the scent of roasted snacks and the sound of cheerful chatter.

As they approached the stadium, a row of vendors caught Bell's eye. One stall in particular was selling adorable plushies that resembled miniature versions of monsters. There were tiny Silverbacks, cute Jack Birds, and even plush Minotaurs, their menacing features softened into something almost huggable.

Syr stopped and pointed at them, her eyes sparkling. "Aren't they adorable, Bell?"

Bell chuckled, tilting his head to get a better look. "Yeah, they're definitely cute. But… I don't think most adventurers who've faced actual monsters would buy them. It'd probably remind them of the real thing."

Syr turned to him with a playful grin. "Well, I'm not an adventurer, so I think they're perfect." Before Bell could respond, she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the stadium entrance. "Come on, we don't want to miss the show!"

Bell let himself be guided, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment as Syr held his arm. The streets grew more crowded as they reached the entrance, and soon they were climbing up to the spectator seats.

The stadium was packed with people, the excitement in the air almost palpable. Bell and Syr found their seats as the first event began.

A member of the Ganesha Familia entered the arena, leading a towering Silverback on a thick chain. The crowd gasped and murmured in awe at the sight of the well-trained monster, its movements precise and controlled. The tamer stepped forward, commanding the Silverback with a series of signals, demonstrating how well the beast obeyed him.

The audience erupted into cheers and applause as the Silverback performed a set of tricks, including lifting a massive boulder and standing on one leg.

Bell leaned forward in his seat, captivated by the scene. "It's amazing how well they've trained it. It's hard to believe that's the same kind of monster we fight in the dungeon."

Syr smiled, watching Bell's reaction. "That's the magic of Monster Feria. It shows a different side of monsters, one that's not all about danger and fear."

Bell nodded, though part of him still felt uneasy seeing a creature like the Silverback on the surface. Still, the crowd's enthusiasm was contagious, and he couldn't deny he was enjoying the spectacle.

After a while, the show came to an end. The audience cheered one last time as the Ganesha Familia bowed and led the monsters out of the arena. Bell and Syr stood up and began making their way out of the stadium, merging into the crowd of spectators spilling onto the streets.

"That was quite good," Bell said, his tone genuinely impressed.

Syr smiled and nodded. "I told you it would be fun. Even for adventurers like you, it's nice to see monsters in a different light, isn't it?"

Bell chuckled softly. "Yeah, I guess it is. It was definitely a different experience."

As they strolled through the bustling streets, their conversation was interrupted by the sight of two figures walking toward them. Syr's face lit up in recognition, and she raised her hand in greeting. "Oh, Ryuu! Alise!"

Bell's eyes widened as he immediately recognized Ryuu in her usual cloak. Next to her stood a fiery-haired woman wearing a red and white outfit with an air of authority about her.

"Ryuu!" Bell called out, his surprise evident. "Who's… the person with you?"

Before Ryuu could answer, the red-haired woman stepped forward with a confident grin. "I'm Alise, the captain of the Astraea Familia," she said, her tone carrying a mix of pride and friendliness.

Bell blinked, slightly taken aback by her directness. "Oh, um… it's nice to meet you, Captain Alise."

Alise gave him a quick once-over, her grin widening. "You must be Bell Cranel, the rookie Syr's been talking about. She wasn't exaggerating—you do look like you've got potential."

Bell scratched the back of his head, unsure how to respond. "Uh… thank you?"

Ryuu glanced at Syr, her expression softening. "It's good to see you, Syr. I assume you've been keeping Bell entertained?"

Syr smirked mischievously, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Of course. Someone has to look after him, don't they?"

Bell's cheeks reddened slightly at the teasing, but before he could say anything, Alise clapped him on the shoulder. "Well, rookie, keep up the hard work. Maybe one day you'll be strong enough to stand beside us."

Her words carried a playful challenge, but there was also a note of genuine encouragement. Bell nodded determinedly. "I'll do my best."

"Good answer," Alise said with a wink. She then turned to Syr and Ryuu. "We'll leave you two to your outing. Let's go, Ryuu."

Ryuu gave a small nod to Syr and Bell before following Alise. As the two walked away, Bell couldn't help but watch them for a moment, his curiosity piqued by the spirited captain of the Astraea Familia.

As they walked away from Syr and Bell, Alise glanced over at Ryuu, her fiery hair catching the sunlight. Her usually carefree demeanor was replaced by a contemplative expression.

"That boy," Alise began, her voice quieter than usual. "Bell Cranel. There's something about him..."

Ryuu tilted her head, curious. "What do you mean?"

Alise frowned slightly, as if trying to piece together a puzzle in her mind. "I can't explain it fully, but his presence… it feels familiar, like I've sensed it before. Maybe not him exactly, but someone similar."

Ryuu's eyes narrowed slightly, her sharp mind already working. "Do you think you've met him before?"

Alise shook her head. "No, not him. But his presence reminds me of one of the people who came to the Artemis Familia headquarters."

Ryuu's expression turned thoughtful. The Artemis Familia, now closely allied with the Astraea Familia, had seen its fair share of visitors recently. Many were adventurers, gods, and goddesses who had been involved in missions or had ties to their familia.

"Could it be… one of the unusual visitors?" Ryuu ventured, recalling the mysterious figures who had appeared at the Artemis Familia's mansion.

Alise nodded, her brows furrowing. "Yes. There was someone there—someone who felt like Bell. But I can't place who it was."

Ryuu considered this, her mind flipping through memories of those days. The allied familias had been working closely, and she'd seen many unfamiliar faces. However, there was something peculiar about what Alise was saying.

"I'll keep an eye on him," Ryuu said calmly, though her curiosity was piqued. "If there's more to this, it'll reveal itself eventually."

Alise smiled, her usual fiery spirit returning. "Good idea. But for now, let's not dwell on it too much. If he's important, fate will bring him to us again."

With that, the two continued their walk through the busy streets, their thoughts lingering on the mysterious boy with the familiar presence.