Latest update:January 18, 2024
Summary:A fan with partial knowledge of the series is merged into Bell shortly after Zeus left him. With no perfect recall, armed with vague knowledge from the anime and other fanfics - Can our protagonist use their knowledge to save OG Bell's loved ones? Can he save the world from the OEBD? Or will he fail everyone and himself? The answer will tell if it is wrong to live as Bell Cranel!
Link:https://m.fanfiction.net/s/14124548/1/Is-it-Wrong-to-Live-Transmigrated-as-Bell-Cranel-in-a-Dungeon
Word count:610k
Chapters:30
Chapter 1: Crisis
Is it Wrong to Live Transmigrated as Bell Cranel in a Dungeon?
Chapter 1: Crisis
"What matters most is not 'what' you are, but 'who' you are."
― DaShanne Stokes
One moment, I was living a normal life in the modern, secular, and non-magical world. In the next, I was somewhere else entirely. This much I could recognize. I actually couldn't quite place exactly what I was doing in the modern world before now. It was a sort of haze, like trying to remember what you were thinking about before you fell asleep. But I did know I wasn't supposed to be some kinda preteen in a non-air conditioned cabin.
The old man before me - the village elder my brain somehow supplied - looked at me with pity, "I understand this news will take some time to process Bell-kun. Please, rest and take all the time you need."
"Ah, yes…" I mumble back, listlessly. Completely confused and somehow emotionally drained. It was hard to focus. Facts and the feelings associated with my surroundings were flashing through my mind even though I couldn't tell where they came from.
Somehow, I recognized this cabin as well as the layout. And did the elder call me 'Bell-kun'? First of all, I realize now that he was talking in Japanese and that I was somehow able to perfectly understand him even though I only should have known a few words. But another part of me argued that I know Common and a bit of Elvish. Elves? Those are fantasy creatures?
Bell-kun?
I glanced to the nearest mirror without hesitation - I knew where it was after all.
My eyes widened as I recognized Bell Cranel from that anime I watched and read fanfiction about.
They widened as I recognized myself.
Oh great. I've ended up in one of those situations where my consciousness has transmigrated and taken over the body of an existing character - worse yet the main character of the 'story'. And I don't just get to magically perfectly remember everything that Bell knew before I arrived either; looks like I get to do things the more scientifically accurate way where I only remember things as my brain's neurons make the connections leftover from Bell's long-term storage.
Anyway, excuse me. I'm going to go ahead and faint to process this all. At least… I thin…k that's what this… feeeeels…
I sat in front of the cabin's fireplace, stoking the fire in thought. It was fairly relaxing, and I definitely needed all the help relaxing right now.
Let's recap. I'm in control of Bell's body now. I'm not sure where Bell himself went or if he's even gone or what. I certainly wasn't confronted by him in some kind of mindscape or something.
I ended up in his body during the conversation where his village elder informs Bell that his 'grandfather' was presumably killed while out hunting. I know enough to know that said grandfather is actually the god Zeus. And said god was the familia leader for one or both of Bell's parents. And, obviously, that said god is not dead but is just giving Bell a call to adventure. More specifically, a call to try and pick up girls in the dungeon of Orario.
I sweatdrop. Sorry gramps, I don't think that between Bell's innocence and my… inexperience that I'm going to land us many ladies. And us seems like an acceptable to refer to myself considering Bell's undetermined status.
Moving on.
I'm familiar enough with the events of the first and second season of the anime. But past then, I only know a few important details.
Syr is Freya and Helun(?) in disguise. Freya can see souls as colors, which is why she's so obsessed with Bell. All the gods are living lie detectors; only in cases like Loki who is a goddess of Deception among other things can lie to another deity. Ryuu is the Gale Wind and a badass fighter with survivor's guilt - and that she and Bell would have had a close encounter on Floor 37 at some point. I know the Xenos exist, but not what they want or stand for, just that Weine is adorbs and probably ended up with some kind of bad fate - something to do with Ais. And I could vaguely recognize most major and minor characters from what I remember watching.
Probably.
Some kind of goddess might be behind the Dungeon? And is the ultimate big bad? Or maybe that's just something a fanfic came up with?
But almost all of that knowledge goes as far as that. No specifics. Like where exactly does Lili decide to ambush Bell for the Hestia Knife? Somewhere on Floor 10? 13? It's not like I'm a living Danmachi wiki here.
Finding my way around Orario? I can only find my way around this village and town because Bell had lived here his whole life. Which also triggered some memories of fighting the occasional goblin. Mediocre fighting skill acquired!
With the facts out there, that just leaves the question of what to do next? Like, is it strictly necessary to go to Orario? Bell is an amazing person, but one who goes through a lot of struggle and hardship. Even though I can already see hints of him influencing me, I'm not certain I can live up to those expectations. Besides, aside from knowing some facts, a lot of my knowledge of the show's timeline might as well be useless.
I can't know for sure that this world I'm in now is exactly like that of the show. And even if it is exactly the same, most of the plot from the first season is due to Freya's machinations. Would she still be interested in Bell while I am here? Would our souls be separate and thus noticeable or had they merged? Or was Bell's soul even still around?
And while the odds weren't great, there was a nonzero chance of somehow getting accepted into someone's Familia other than Hestia… Nah, that wouldn't change - it's either Hestia or nothing.
But, really, the fundamental point was: did I want to go be a hero like Bell?
It's not like the prospect is a bad one per say. I'd say I had a liberal sense of justice even before this pseudo merger I seem to be a part of. I just wasn't so naive as to be unaware of the challenges involved in that. The world is inherently uncaring and thus cruel.
And besides, its not like I'm guaranteed to get Bell's OP skills. Those were created from the soul, or it is believed to be that way or something. If I grow in skill like normal person than anything depending on Bell being strong enough is kinda boned.
Then I remembered. The One-Eyed Black Dragon.
I groaned. "It's probably going to destroy the world if I don't intervene, isn't it?"
That might not strictly be the case. But. Come on. It probably is the case. If I recall correctly, the higher levels of the Loki Familia only get their act into high gear again because Bell inspired them with his growth.
And then there were all the less world-spanning tragedies that would happen from Bell's absence. Lili would either be mercifully killed by bastards in the Dungeon at some point or otherwise enslaved to the Soma. Haruhime would most likely end up sacrificed for… whatever the killing stone is for again. Welf would most likely stay a lonely bastard haunted by his ancestors. Ryuu would remain trapped in her guilty conscience. Ais' long, long tale would end in lonely tragedy. And Hestia is more likely than not to end up on the streets, completely alone and vulnerable…
A log on the fire fell apart into small burning chunks as I clenched my fist. The words of a certain web-slinger rung in my head. "Look, when you can do the things that I can, but you don't, and then the bad things happen, they happen because of you."
In this case, it would be more apt to say 'when you know the things I do'. Knowledge is power, after all. And with Great Power comes Great Responsibility. I'd be a right bastard if I didn't even bother to try. If I want a future in this world I've found myself in, I have to fight for it.
I nodded resolutely, my decision made. I quickly ensured the remains of the fire was safe to leave unattended, and went to start packing.
The next day was a flurry of selling all of my possessions that wouldn't be of use to me for my journey to Orario. Even selling the house. The elder didn't want me to be too hasty about selling the house, but I didn't want to leave the option of running back home to be open. The only path for me had to be forward. I even threatened to burn the house down if he didn't let me sell the place. Which seemed to show the elder my resolve for my decision to leave and become an adventurer.
With 40,000 valis, a pack full of clothes and food, a hunting bow and arrows, a hunting dagger, and some light leather armor I began my journey to the City Orario.
I didn't make it far the first night, as I left the village as soon as my affairs were settled, no leaving much time left in the day. I ate some of my provisions and tied myself to a tree on a high branch to sleep through the night - in case of monsters.
The next morning, I was fortunate to come across a merchant on his way to Orario. I was able to strike a deal of protecting his product from monsters enroute in exchange for transport. Though I think at the time the merchant was only humoring me. I guess Bell being so cute has its perks.
We would actually run into a few surface goblins later in the day. Thankfully, there were only one at a time. So with Bell's meager fighting skill it was rather easy to get in close, evade their attacks, and slash their throats.
Before I knew it, two more days had passed and I had made it to Orario. After a 5,000 valis entry and residence fee, I was given an ID and allowed entrance to the city. And oh boy the city was impressive - a mixture of greek, roman, asian, and other more specific but unrecognizable architecture. Streets filled with people and a sizable portion of them being the very adventurers themselves.
I quickly bartered for a map of the city and general knowledge on the Familias of the city. I then began looking for an inn I could make my temporary base of operations. I had considered just finding an abandoned building in the slums, but I also didn't want to risk getting shanked in my sleep or something. So my wallet was just going to have to eat it.
I managed to find an inn that provided a small room and one meal a day for 1000 valis a day, which was as good of a deal as I was going to get without knowing anybody in the city. I then got to work on my strategy.
I couldn't go straight to Hestia for two main reasons. First I didn't know where exactly she was. And second, even Hestia herself would likely be suspicious if I made the choice of joining her Familia without even trying to get into already established Familias.
With the plan decided, I got to work filling out Familia applications. I had a feeling I was going to need a lot of these…
A week later, I sighed dejected as I made my way to the inn from my latest Familia interview. Which would be exaggerating, as it was less of an interview and more of taking a look at me and telling me to piss off. Bell's cuteness was not doing me any favors in being taken seriously. I mean, I knew this would happen, but it still hurts my self-esteem a little bit.
Feeling stressed, I can't help but compulsively check my money pouch. About 1,345 valis left. Some of the Familia's required an application fee when you applied with them, which was probably a scam that would be looked down on by the guild. But the Familias would probably just claim I was trying to bribe them and the guild would take the easy way out and just let the individual adventurer get screwed over so they don't have to deal with disciplining powerful Familias.
I've just about applied to every dungeon exploring Familia out there. I was rejected flat out right outside Babel Tower when applying for Freya's Familia. I technically didn't apply to Loki's Familia, but that was because I was kicked out before I could formally hand over my application. I had the misfortune of getting stuck with Bete, whose gruchy mood and high level provided a reasonably intimidating presence. Which may have resulted in my being so jumpy that I tripped and knocked his milk onto him. I'm still not sure how I managed to get away from Bete's rage; maybe he didn't want people seeing spilled milk on his crotch?
Yeah, that was it.
At least at this point, my joining Hestia at this point wouldn't seem too out of place.
I slowed for a second as the smell of good food and mead caught my attention. My route for getting home today must have taken me through a street with pubs and other catering. It was hard to read any signs, as the sun had set and there were no street lights on this road; the only light was that which spilled out from the pubs.
My stomach grumbled, which soured my mood. I was damn near out of food, only had enough money for one more night at the inn, and definitely not enough to eat here.
And my eyes narrowed in disgust as I barely noticed two men accosting a young woman in an outfit whose color I couldn't make out with the poor visibility, just that there was some white like from an apron.
"...Come on, missy, don't be like zhat! The two of us will givvve you a good time like you'vvve never had before! Haha!"
"Hehehe" the other man chuckled lewdly.
"I am not interested in your offer," the woman responded calmly, "Please move aside."
The men weren't pleased with the woman's dismissal, "Now you look here missy…!"
The man went to grab at her, and I had enough of standing by. Light on my feet, I quickly closed the distance, put my rear foot up on the balls of my toes in a practiced form and performed a front kick, "The lady said no, you perverts!" I yelled as I kicked right into the man's testicales.
The man, stunned, fell to his knees as he grabbed his crotch in pain. At the same time I swerved around him, opposite the third man, and lightly tugged on the woman's wrist, "Come on!" I ushered, trying to quickly convey to her an escape route.
My foot was throbbing terribly, the men must be adventurers with probability suggesting that they are mid to high Level 1. I really needed to hope my speed and their inebriation would be enough to get me out of this.
That plan was halted in its tracks, as I was unable to tug the woman towards me at all. It was like trying to pull a perfectly functional brick wall down by tugging on a single piece of string. With my foot hurting, and not expecting such resistance, all I succeeded in doing was tripping over my two feet. Now I was also trapped in the alley, on the ground, and I could make out the guy I kicked getting up out of the corner of my eye.
"What the hell!" the adventurer yelled, pissed off, "You got a death wish or something, brat!?"
"Nah," I said with a wince, "Just couldn't stand the sight of men so bad at picking up ladies that they have to resort to force. What? Your personality too boring or was it because of your face?"
Insults were hardly the best idea in this situation. But I held out hope that extreme anger combined with being drunk would give me an opening to get out of this mess.
The adventurers blinked, processing words, then they quickly became pissed off. They began pulling out weapons, "That's it, you're dead, runt!"
I pulled out my hunting dagger and the guild-issued dagger I received upon registering.
I didn't have time to say anything as the adventurer I kicked attacked me. I barely parried the strike away, just to get a kick to my stomach for my efforts. I flew back, hitting a wall or dumpster, I couldn't tell. I coughed in pain, spitting up blood. And now I was pissed. I had set such high expectations for myself, I wasn't going to let some drunk, sexual offender stop me here!
So I shakily got back to my feet. I partially wondered what the second man was doing, since I couldn't hear a second struggle going on. But focused back on the adventurer who was stalking over to me with a sneer. As if disgusted that I hadn't dropped dead already.
I swayed on my feet. He must have broken at least one rib, and all my strength was spent. If I even managed to meet my blade with his to parry it, I wouldn't have the strength to follow through - I'd just get cut up by both our blades. Despite my resolve, I was screwed. Hell, I was panting just in order to breathe enough air.
Still, I raised my daggers in a last ditch effort. Maybe if I charge in, he won't expect it and I'll get lucky?
Thankfully, I didn't need to try as a hand chopped the adventurer hard in the neck, the force instantly knocking the bastard out. The adventurer collapsed face first, revealing the woman who was being accosted in the first place - the second man unconscious on the ground behind her.
The angle of the moonlight finally allowed me a good look at the woman. Either in her late teens or early twenties, the woman had golden-blonde hair and blue eyes and elvish ears. I could tell now that she was wearing a green waitress/maid's outfit. Her pale skin glistened in the moonlight like a, "...fairy," I unconsciously whispered.
I slumped, my adrenaline leaving me, and fell onto my back. My last conscious thoughts being how cute it was seeing the elf girl try and fail to look composed.
Other POV
Ryuu Lion was conflicted. This hadn't been the first time that rowdy adventures tried pushing their luck and it certainly wouldn't be the last. But this time was certainly the first time that someone who was not apart of the Hostess of Fertility's staff had intervened on her behalf.
She also should have been rather offended when the white haired boy tried tugging at her wrist, despite the circumstances. Maybe it was his innocent desire to help or what, but she didn't feel immediately repulsed.
Regardless, she could recognize that the boy was without a Falna, which further showed his bravery or foolishness. And also made his injuries much more serious. So she raised her hands over him and chanted, "The song of a now distant forest. The nostalgic song of life. Please bring the mercy of healing to those that seek you. Noah Heal."
The boy's complexion began to get better and his breathing became more relaxed. Though Ryuu knew that he would need a potion to help with those broken ribs.
Ryuu easily heard movement behind her as Syr came out to check on her.
"Ryuu?" Syr asked, "everything alri– oh!"
Ryuu, naturally, thought Syr was surprised about the unconscious men and how close she was to the boy below her.
Which was true. But Syr was also surprised because of the boy's soul. 'Is that even possible?' Freya as Syr wondered to herself as she looked at the boy's soul. There were so many things unusual about it. Never before had she seen a soul with multiple colors, much less the colors being presented before her. One was transparent, which in and of itself fueled her interest and desire. The other was the deepest black, yet it was not malicious, but rather it was simply like the void of space; rather than malicious, it gave off the feeling of stability somehow. And these two existences swirled around each other like two stars orbiting each other, or like how the symbols Yin and Yang from the east swirl around each other.
It was amazing. It was unprecedented. Freya had to have him. It certainly didn't hurt that the boy also had a cute face and physique. She could just imagine seeing him squirm on top of her bed as she…!
Freya composed herself as Ryuu raised an eyebrow at her growing blush. She quickly came up with an excuse and counter.
"Why Ryuu, I didn't realize you and Chloe shared the same kind of interests," Freya as Syr teased.
Ryuu immediately made the connection Syr was making, and couldn't help but remembered how the boy whispered 'Fairy' before falling unconscious. She couldn't help but blush slightly in embarrassment. She huffed, "How ridiculous. I was just healing this boy after he attempted to defend my honor from these hooligans."
"Oh, is he alright?" Syr asked.
"He still has a few broken ribs. I'll finish healing him with potions from my room."
"Ohho?" Syr grinned, "trying to take your hero away to your chambers? I never thought you would be so bold!"
Ryuu simply scoffed. And Syr watched in interest as Ryuu's gleaming soul sparked and flickered at her words. Then Syr could barely hide her shock as Ryuu actually went and carefully picked the boy up and began heading towards their quarters.
Ryuu! An elf! Voluntarily touching a human boy!
In any case, Syr would watch out for this boy. Learn his name whenever he wakes up. Figure out what Familia he belongs to if he is apart of one and make a decision from there.
Ryuu, on the other hand, just wanted to repay the boy's honest intentions… and to escape from this situation as soon as possible. So she brought him inside, and quickly found Mama Mia. Ryuu ignored the raised eye from the older woman and explained the situation.
Mama Mia shrugged, "If you're willing to watch over him in your room, I won't stop you. Just don't be making any half-elves as soon as he wakes up, you hear?"
"You jest," Ryuu scoffed in embarrassed amusement. Taking the boy to her room, and ignoring her co-workers all the while.
Elsewhere, a certain god had the sudden urge to congratulate his grandson.
"Bell…" Zeus said to himself, "I don't know what you're doing right now, but… you lucky bastard!"
And that was how the wheels of fate deviated from their original course.
Link:https://m.fanfiction.net/s/14124548/1/Is-it-Wrong-to-Live-Transmigrated-as-Bell-Cranel-in-a-Dungeon