Chapter 44 - Status Update And Hestia's Thoughtfulness
Bell dealt with the drop items and magic stones.
The Minotaur skin was set aside by Bell. The quality of the skin and the War Shadow Finger Blade was similar, and both could be sold for a good price, but not at the moment.
Bell needed to consider whether selling them would draw the attention of the other Familia.
He could only sell the Minotaur Horn for now, but not the skin.
The horn wasn't a rare drop—it was common—but the skin was rare, even rarer than goblin fangs.
Nothing would be more troublesome than an unknown adventurer selling a Minotaur's skin at the Guild.
If news like that spread, it could cause serious problems.
After selling everything he could, Bell earned about 500,000 valis.
While this couldn't compare to the 26.4 million valis he'd earned earlier, 500,000 valis was still more than most adventurers in Orario made.
After taking care of everything, Bell moved through the crowd, heading toward the abandoned church.
Once inside, he carefully made his way to their room.
Hestia had returned home early today, and she was lying leisurely on the bed, her small feet swinging as she read a book.
This sight made Bell feel completely at ease.
"I'm back, Hestia."
"Oh! Bell, welcome back."
Hearing Bell's voice, Hestia immediately jumped up from the bed, her small feet bouncing on the mattress.
Remembering what happened last time, Bell quickly caught the girl as she leaped at him.
"Hestia, did Hephaestus let you off early today?"
"Yeah, today's the day Loki Familia returned from their expedition, and Hephaestus needed to start taking orders for repairs, so she sent me home early."
Expeditions happen when a Familia gets enough fame, and the Guild forces them to lead raids on the deeper floors.
How deep the Familia has to go depends on their overall strength.
For Loki Familia, with three Level 6 adventurers, they were definitely tasked with raiding the deepest floors.
But Loki Familia usually explored the deeper floors voluntarily, so the Guild rarely had to push them.
They went on expeditions more often than the Guild even requested.
Of course, expeditions had nothing to do with Hestia Familia for now.
It was just Bell, and he was still Level 1.
"Speaking of Loki Familia, I think I ran into them in the dungeon today."
"Huh? You ran into Loki's children?"
"It wasn't a direct encounter. I ran into five Minotaurs on the ninth floor and felt like someone was chasing them. I think it was Loki Familia."
"Minotaurs!?"
Hestia immediately tensed up. Minotaurs were one of the biggest threats to Level 1 adventurers, and plenty of them had lost their lives to those monsters.
She quickly inspected Bell from head to toe, letting out a relieved sigh when she saw he was fine.
But still, the thought scared her, her heart racing.
"Bell! You should've told me right away!"
"Minotaurs are deadly for Level 1 adventurers. Even one level difference between a Minotaur and an adventurer is like the difference between an elephant and an ant."
In Orario, there weren't many stories of Level 1 adventurers defeating Level 2 monsters.
Even if a Level 1 adventurer was on the verge of ranking up, their chances of beating a newly promoted Level 2 adventurer were slim.
Only exceptional adventurers could think of it. Regular adventurers wouldn't even dare to consider it.
That's why Hestia was so startled.
But Bell wasn't a regular adventurer.
"My magic and skills are rare. Plus, the Hestia Sword, made by Hephaestus, gives me an advantage."
"With those two advantages, I can handle a Minotaur, even though it's a higher level than me."
The gap in stats and levels definitely created a power imbalance, but even that had limits.
Bell's power was terrifying for both mages and close-combat fighters.
With his lightning that could strike anyone like divine punishment, Bell had what it took to challenge stronger enemies.
Moreover, with his current template unlocked degree, it was more than enough for him to push into deeper floors.
Even though he was technically a god now, he still had to be careful. Right now, he was still quite weak.
"Hestia, by the way, I need your help with something today."
"I want to update my status."
----
[Name]: Bell Cranel
[Level]: 1
[Basic Abilities]:
Strength: S999
Endurance: S999
Dexterity: S945
Agility: S955
Magic: S999
[Development Ability]: None
[Magic]:
Storage Magic: Spatial Pocket
(........)
(........)
Electro Gnosis[Absolute Control Over The Lightning Element]
[Skill]:
Mystic Code: Combat Judgement
Tsubame Gaeshi [Multi-dimension Refraction Phenomenon Attack]
Transcendence: Baleful Omen:
Eye of Stormy Judgement [Each stack of Eye of Stormy Judgement would result in increase of lightning elemental damage]
Luck: EX
---
"What... what is this!?"
Hestia's eyes dimmed slightly, and she pinched her cheeks.
"Ouch... It hurts... so it's real..."
"Bell, what the heck have you done?" Hestia exclaimed, turning to Bell as if she was looking at a monster.
She had never seen anything like this before.
"Well... I..." Bell stuttered, looking embarrassed and unsure of what to say.
"Eye of Stormy Judgement? And what is this Electro Gnosis? Where's your previous magic?"
"Did it evolve into this so-called Electro Gnosis?"
"What's up these unknowns?"
"And your basic abilities... they're all S?"
Hestia bombarded him with questions, almost as if she was figuring it all out on her own.
"Both Hephaestus and I were confused when we saw your magic... it looked almost like an Arcanum."
Hestia's gaze softened, and she put a hand on her chest, smiling warmly.
"Now, I'm certain. This is undoubtedly an Arcanum. Bell, you must've done something, and it looks like you've learned how to use this power."
"Hestia, I..." Bell began, but Hestia gently placed a finger on his lips, silencing him.
"No need, Bell, I understand. Everyone has their secrets. I won't ask any more questions. Just know... I love you."
With that, Hestia moved closer, her lips meeting Bell's in a soft kiss. Then she pushed herself onto him, deepening the kiss until both were gasping for breath, a silver string of saliva connecting them as they pulled apart.
After fixing his clothes, Bell pushed those thoughts aside.
"Hestia, would you like to go for a walk?"
"Yeah!"
Hestia spun around excitedly, and Bell couldn't help but feel happy seeing her like that.
Ever since he arrived in Orario, he had been so focused on his goals. Hestia had helped him so much, always believing in him, making him feel the warmth of someone who truly cared.
"This is the first time Bell has invited me out. I'll go change my clothes!"
Seeing how excited Hestia was, Bell decided he needed to spend more time with her.
By the time they stepped outside, the sky had already darkened, but for Orario, the night was just getting started.
"Mmm... It's been so long since I've gone out at night!"
The cool night air felt refreshing, and Hestia wore an extra white coat over her usual outfit.
Bell, dressed in a black shirt, didn't cover his face, making him look especially handsome.
As they walked down the bustling streets, they could feel the vibrant energy of Orario all around them.
Laughter echoed in the air, and the streets were alive with people. The smell of food from nearby taverns filled the atmosphere, making Bell feel curious and refreshed.
"Did you often go out at night before, Hestia?"
"Back when I stayed with Hephaestus, I'd always bug her for money to buy food outside."
Bell couldn't help but twitch at the thought. Hephaestus must have really cared for Hestia, but if a friend had done that in his place, Bell probably would've kicked them out a long time ago.
"Sorry, Hestia... I haven't been able to take care of you."
For some reason, Bell felt a pang of guilt. From his pouch, he pulled out something he had prepared earlier.
"Hestia, this is for you."
"A money pouch?"
"Yeah. I set aside some money after paying off part of our debt. This is just a little bit for daily expenses."
The pouch wasn't heavy—inside was 200,000 valis. Bell had planned to give it to Hestia as pocket money.
Even though he knew she wouldn't starve working with Hephaestus, he still wanted her to have something for herself.
"I was going to give it to you later tonight, but now seems like the right time."
"Oh!!!"
Hestia took the pouch, surprised at how heavy it felt. She quickly estimated there was more than 100,000 valis inside.
"Bell, I love you the most!"
There were always things she wanted to buy but couldn't because she didn't have money. Now those days were behind her.
With her own pouch of pocket money, prepared by Bell, her heart swelled with joy.
Hugging his arm tightly, she leaned against him, her eyes sparkling with emotion.
To anyone passing by, they looked like a happy couple.
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