Bell stood in the center of the battlefield, covered in sweat and blood, his breath still panting. Around him, the debris from the fight against the red minotaur bore witness to the intensity of the clash.
Aiz approached slowly, her gaze mixing respect and concern.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Bell struggled to his feet, using his dagger for support.
"I've had worse… but thanks, Aiz. I'm glad you came."
Tiona and Tione joined Aiz, both impressed.
"Hey, kid, are you serious? You took on this thing all by yourself?" Tiona said, an admiring smile on her lips.
Bell simply nodded, his gaze fixed on the monster's corpse.
Finn, Bete, and Riveria arrived shortly after. Seeing the minotaur's body, Finn narrowed his eyes.
"Impressive… But it's strange that such a monster appears at this level of the dungeon."
Riveria placed a hand on Finn's shoulder.
"There is surely an explanation. But above all, this adventurer deserves our congratulations. Few people would have survived such a fight."
Bete, however, growled.
"Tch. Just a lucky break. He would have been dead if you hadn't intervened."
Bell ignored the remark, his attention drawn to Aiz, who was still staring at him.
After exchanging a few words with the Loki family, Bell left the area. He declined their offer to accompany him, explaining that he needed to return to his family.
Along the way, his legs gave way several times. The fight had exhausted him, but he felt a strange warmth running through his body.
"The Rise…" he thought. He had felt this surge of power during the fight.
Back in the pleasure district, Aisha was waiting for him, leaning against a wall, her arms crossed.
"You look like a walking corpse, kid. You're really going to kill yourself one day," she said, her tone mocking but her eyes worried.
Bell smiled slightly.
"If I want to become stronger, I have no choice."
Aisha came closer and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You may be too stubborn, but… you have guts. Come on, Ishtar wants to see you."
In Ishtar's room, Bell settled in for a new update. The goddess observed his injuries with some awe before placing her hand on his back to perform the ritual.
"You're amazing, Bell. Even for me, it's hard to believe that you defeated a red minotaur single-handedly."
Bell remained silent, but his mind was focused on what he should do next.
Suddenly, Ishtar frowned.
Bell Cranel
Level: 2
Strength: SS01
•Endurance: SS40
•Dexterity: SS24
•Agility: SS 31
•Magic: 0
•Intelligence: A
•Luck: C
•Abnormal Resistance: C
•Escape: G
•Chain Attack: I
Special Skill: Ethereal Vision: Allows you to see other people's emotions as colors
_[The Rise]
A unique skill that promotes accelerated growth. The harder the battle, the more Excelia you accumulate. Also grants complete immunity to any form of charm or mind control.
_The rising boost: Grants a slight stat boost.
Magic skill:
Ishtar squeezed the paper, her expression changing from admiration to contained irritation.
"He was completely immune to my charms now he's level 2 so quickly..." she thought.
She quickly hid her frustration with a smile.
"Congratulations, Bell. You're becoming a true legend. But tell me…" She leaned towards him, her gaze burning with intensity. "Does this immunity… mean that my charms no longer have any effect on you?"
Bell, impassive, replied calmly:
"Sorry, Ishtar. I guess that's a good thing, right? It shows that I can keep my mind clear, even in the most difficult times."
Ishtar smiled falsely, but she felt herself gradually losing her hold on him.
As he left Ishtar's room, Aisha intercepted him.
"So what did she want?"
Bell shrugged.
"Nothing special. She just wanted to see my progress and I'm now level 2."
Aisha looked at him for a moment, as if to guess if he was lying.
"Bell this is amazing in such a short time, I knew you could do it" she said
"Thank you, it means a lot to me," he said.
"You look exhausted. Take a break tomorrow. We'll go to the dungeon the day after tomorrow, okay?"
Bell nodded, although he knew rest was not part of his plans.
In her tower, Freya watched Bell's fight through a magical orb.
"He exceeds my expectations," she whispered, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
Ottar, at his side, remained silent.
"Prepare the next step, Ottar. If this boy wants to be a hero, we'll see how far he can go."
Ottar bowed, answering simply:
"As you wish, Goddess Freya."
Late one night, as he was walking through the neighborhood, Bell passed the well-guarded house where he had seen the slave fox. Once again, he felt his heart clench at the thought of that collar around her neck.
He muttered to himself:
"I will set you free. No matter what it takes."
As he returned to his quarters, he took one last look at the house. An idea was beginning to form in his mind.
Bell stood on the balcony, watching the lights of the city of Orario. Between Freya, Ishtar, and now this mysterious fox, he knew his path would be fraught with danger.
But one thing was clear:
"I will overthrow this world. I will avenge Zeus and become the greatest hero Orario has ever known."
Chapter 24: The Game of Colors
Bell had gotten his upgrade: he was now level 2. That fact alone was an immense feat. Few adventurers managed to level up so quickly. Ishtar, though envious of his growing independence, had recognized his worth.
Now, more determined than ever, Bell set out to strengthen his strategies, not just in combat, but in his understanding of the complex game of the divine families.
Bell went to the guild to see Eina Tulle, his usual advisor. When he arrived, he found her helping a group of new adventurers. When she caught sight of him, she smiled warmly.
"Bell! You look great. So, what are you here for today? A new mission?"
Bell replied calmly:
"Not right away. I want to know more about the Loki family and… Freya."
Eina frowned slightly.
"Why these two families? They are great powers of Orario, Bell. Better not meddle in their affairs."
He shrugged with an innocent smile.
"Just curiosity."
Eina sighed, but she still took out some documents.
"Loki is known for his elite group, the most powerful Familia in Orario. Aiz Wallenstein and Finn Deimne are major members. As for Freya..." She trailed off, looking concerned.
"Freya is… special. Her family lacks Loki's military clout, but their individual power is formidable. And Freya herself is known to manipulate hearts. Some say she has power over human emotions. Why do you want to know all this?"
Bell thought before answering:
"I passed someone... Their gaze reminded me of Freya's. Maybe it's a coincidence."
Eina seemed to hesitate, but she didn't insist.
As he left the guild, Bell activated Ethereal Vision, his special skill. He thought back to Syr Flova, the barmaid at the pub.
Each person had a color that represented their emotions: shades of blue for sadness, red for anger, or yellow for joy. Yet when he looked at Syr, he saw an uncanny similarity to the colors he had perceived in Freya.
"That's impossible... Why are their emotions so similar? Freya is a goddess, and Syr is a simple waitress..."
Bell knew he couldn't tell Eina or anyone else about his suspicions. Freya was far too influential a goddess. If she saw him as a threat, he would be in danger.
As he continued walking, his thoughts still fixed on Syr and Freya, Bell heard a noise coming from a narrow alley. As he approached, he saw a small, trembling plum being cornered against a wall by a larger adventurer.
"Let her go," Bell said firmly, stepping in between.
The adventurer turned around, a cruel smile on his face.
"And what are you going to do, kid? Go back and play in your corner."
Bell didn't answer. He drew his dagger, his piercing eyes fixed on his opponent. The adventurer, irritated, charged, but Bell dodged nimbly, landing a precise blow to his wrist that made his weapon fall.
"Do you really want to continue?" Bell whispered, his voice icy.
The adventurer growled but backed away, displeased.
"It's not over, brat."
Bell turned his head to see the plum quietly moving away, blending into the shadows.
Just when Bell thought everything was settled, the adventurer tried to do it again. A commanding, feminine voice stopped him in his tracks.
"You shouldn't insist. It could end badly for you."
Bell turned around and saw an elegant elf, dressed in a dark cloak, accompanied by Syr Flova. The elf had an intimidating aura.
The adventurer backed away even further, before disappearing into the alley.
Bell approached, grateful.
"Thanks for the help."
The elf simply nodded. Syr, for her part, smiled warmly.
"Always in the right place at the right time, huh, Bell?"
He shrugged, slightly wary.
"Let's just say I can't stand seeing that kind of thing."
Syr stared at him for a moment before continuing:
"Why don't you drop by the pub tonight? The meal's on me. Consider it a reward for your heroism."
Bell smiled politely, but inwardly he remained guarded.
In an alleyway further on, the plum had hidden behind some crates. Her little hands were still shaking. She murmured to herself:
"This boy… is a good adventurer. Maybe I can…"
But she shook her head, pushing the thought away.
"I have to approach him"
She watched Bell from afar before disappearing back into the shadows of Orario.
To be continued