Chapter 38 - System Upgrade!
The next morning.
The magic stone lamp in the room was still on. Hestia and Bell slept in the same bed, sharing a single quilt.
Bell had fallen asleep on his back, but Hestia lay atop him.
The quilt covered them, but its outline revealed how close they were to each other.
"..."
Hestia, resting on top, shifted slightly. Her internal clock started to wake her after a peaceful night's sleep.
Her eyelids fluttered, and she twisted unconsciously, searching for a more comfortable position.
But as she moved, Bell, who had been asleep, woke up.
Mornings can be more sensitive for boys, and with her movements intensifying their contact, Bell quickly opened his eyes.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Damn!"
As his mind cleared, Bell's instincts made him realize the situation he was in.
And the cause of his alarm was Hestia lying on top of him.
Now that Bell was awake, his slight movement caused Hestia to frown unconsciously. She instinctively pulled the quilt closer.
That very action sent Bell springing out from under the quilt like lightning.
Boom!
With Bell no longer supporting her, Hestia's face fell onto the mattress, and she opened her eyes, dazed.
"Mm..."
A soft whimper escaped her lips as she sat up with sleepy eyes, propping herself into a cute sitting position.
She looked around groggily, placing her hands on the mattress.
"It's still warm. Did Bell get up?"
"Ha~~~"
Hestia yawned widely, and her figure became even more noticeable in the morning light.
Unfortunately, Hestia was alone, with no one to appreciate this sight.
The only one who could enjoy such beauty had just made his escape.
"Ah, ah..."
Outside, Bell faced the wall, trying to calm himself as quickly as possible.
Abruptly, he looked down and slammed his hand against the cracked wall.
After doing his best to settle down, Bell refocused on the ambitious goal he now faced.
The One-Eyed Black Dragon was an obstacle he needed to overcome, and it would undoubtedly become a stepping stone for him to reach Level 10.
But for now, he needed to be practical. Before worrying about the Black Dragon and Level 10, he still needed to grow to Level 2.
Of course, Bell knew his strengths.
Other adventurers, no matter how talented, took a long time to grow, but Bell could shorten that time drastically.
An average adventurer might need a year or two to improve their basic abilities, but Bell needed only two days at most.
However, Bell knew that finding suitable opponents was more important than just increasing his level.
What he needed was to challenge people or monsters stronger than himself. The process of gathering excelia was his biggest challenge.
Creak—
The dilapidated door opened, and the dull sound made Bell turn his head.
Morning light filtered through the church walls, and the cool dawn made Hestia, who still couldn't fully open her sleepy eyes, appear even more radiant.
But that dazed look didn't last long. Within seconds, a sweet smile spread across her face.
"Bell."
Her soft voice made Bell feel like a spring breeze had washed over him.
Looking at her, Bell couldn't help but smile.
"Hestia."
Hearing him call her name, Hestia's smile widened as she walked toward him barefoot, throwing herself into his arms.
"Bell, you're up too early! You should get more rest in the morning."
Bell gave her a slightly sheepish smile.
Perhaps due to constant training, Bell felt his energy improving almost daily.
The increase wasn't dramatic, but his physical strength, mental fortitude, and mana were slowly growing.
This gradual boost was undoubtedly helpful for Bell.
However, his increased vitality also had an unintended consequence: he struggled to control his hormones in moments like this.
But, of course, Bell couldn't exactly tell Hestia that.
"Hestia, I was just excited this morning because of that goal."
Hestia understood his enthusiasm, but she still needed to remind him.
"Bell, even though your goal is ambitious, it's not something that can be achieved overnight."
"You can't expect to reach the top just because you're feeling excited in the moment."
"And next time, don't be so sudden when you get up."
Hestia wanted to voice her complaints.
"Besides, you haven't given me a good morning kiss yet."
As she spoke, Hestia closed the distance between them. The soft touch of their lips heated the atmosphere instantly.
They continued their kiss, only stopping when both gasped for breath, a thin line of saliva connecting their lips.
Still brimming with excitement, Hestia pressed her lips to Bell's once more.
Bell, taken by surprise a second time, gently pushed Hestia against the wall and deepened their kiss. This time, he used his tongue to part her lips.
Hestia, feeling the foreign sensation, playfully stuck out her own tongue. They continued exchanging their affection with fervor.
"Ha...ha"
They finally broke apart, both panting for breath, another silver line connecting them as they parted.
"Bell, you don't need to worry..."
Hestia whispered as she hugged him tightly.
"No matter what monsters... even that One-Eyed Black Dragon, if they try to hurt you, I'll reduce them to ashes."
"Hestia! You!?"
"Have confidence in me, Bell. You know, just a tenth of my power is enough to defeat anyone in the lower world. Even the One-Eyed Dragon won't stand a chance."
Hestia lowered her eyes and hugged Bell tighter, afraid of him leaving her.
She added softly,
"But if that were to happen, you'd have to find me in heaven afterward. I believe in you, Bell... I believe you'll become a true god. I look forward to it."
Bell's eyes widened, warmth filling his heart. He had never felt this kind of love before, not even in his previous life.
Hestia was willing to do anything for him. She was willing to use her divine power to protect him.
Such love and care, Bell had never experienced.
'Is this love?' Bell thought.
"Hestia, no matter what, I'll always be by your side."
"Yeah, I really love you, Hestia."
Hestia smiled and gently ended the embrace, twirling her long hair with a blush.
"I love you, Bell."
"I love you so much."
"So much that it scares me."
"But you know... I'm greedy, Bell. So greedy."
"Bell... Bell... my Bell."
Like a performer on stage, Hestia expressed all the love words in her heart, making Bell, who had also confessed, blush slightly.
[System upgrade available. Want to update?]
Bell paused. 'Yes,' he answered, confused.
[Upgrade Complete.]
[New function available.]
[New function: Affection]
[Description: The affection others feel for the host. Max affection will result in a 5-star item reward.]
[Do you want to see affection levels toward the host?]
The system asked.
Bell, who had just confirmed his feelings for Hestia, nodded in his heart.
[
Affection Levels:
Hestia: 100 (Max) [Love]
Hephaestus: 50 [Friends]
Eina: 70 [Thinking of the host]
]
[Note: Only those who have met and spoken to the host are listed.]
[5-star pull available! Would you like to gacha?]
Bell took a deep breath and calmed himself. He had other things to focus on now. He couldn't pull just yet, especially while enjoying this sweet moment with Hestia.
Who knew what chaos a powerful item might bring, especially after that incident caused by those 3-star items.
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Well, I tried...hope it isn't too cringey.
Guys, I need your reviews. Please be sure to give some of your thoughts in the review section. I'm looking forward to it.
How about an extra chapter? if I get 10-15 new reviews!
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[IMG of potential harem]
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