Lili left the shop with slumped shoulders, frustration curling in her chest. Damn it. Another wasted effort. She sighed, shoving her hands into the pockets of her tattered cloak as she trudged down the dimly lit street.
Then—thud.
She smacked into something solid, bouncing back with a small yelp. Rubbing her forehead, she blinked up at the tall figure looming over her.
A pair of sturdy boots. A familiar white jacket.
Lili's breath hitched as her gaze traveled upward—only to lock eyes with Bell Cranel. His crimson irises weren't angry, but there was a weight behind them that made her stomach twist with unease.
Just my luck...
Before either of them could speak, a voice called out.
"Bell, fancy seeing you here," Syr greeted with a smile, walking toward them with Ryuu beside her.
"Good evening," Ryuu added, her usual calm demeanor unwavering as she assessed the situation.
Bell returned their greeting before turning back to Lili. "I know you took my knife." His tone wasn't accusatory—just stating a fact.
Lili stiffened. There was no point in playing dumb. She sighed, lowering her gaze. "...Sorry."
Syr frowned, placing her hands on her hips. "Stealing from an ally? That's pretty low, don't you think?"
Ryuu shook her head disapprovingly. "You should be grateful Bell is so forgiving. Others would not be as kind."
Lili's ears drooped.
Bell chuckled, waving a hand. "Hey, don't be too hard on her. We've already settled it."
Syr sighed but relented, while Ryuu gave Lili one last pointed look before the two women said their goodbyes and left.
Now alone, Lili kicked at the ground. "I really am sorry," she muttered.
Bell crossed his arms, watching her carefully. "If you're serious about that, then come with me tomorrow."
Lili's ears twitched. "To the Dungeon?"
Bell nodded.
She hesitated, searching his face for any sign of deception. But all she saw was earnest sincerity.
"...Fine," she relented.
The next day, the two ventured into the Dungeon once more. As they walked, Lili noticed something missing.
"Wait... where's your knife?"
Bell tapped his bracer. "I'm storing it here now. Can't risk losing it again."
Lili sighed but couldn't argue. They then discussed her pay, eventually agreeing to split their spoils evenly.
Days passed.
—
A thunderous roar shook the cavern.
A hulking Orc stomped forward, its muscles bulging beneath its thick hide. Yellowed tusks gleamed under the Dungeon's eerie glow as it bellowed, swinging its massive club toward Bell.
Bell darted forward, narrowly dodging the devastating strike. The impact sent dust and debris flying, cracks webbing across the stone beneath them.
"Lili!" he called.
"On it!"
From behind a boulder, Lili released the lever on her crossbow. A bolt whizzed through the air, striking the Orc's exposed eye.
The monster howled in agony, clutching its face.
[Skill: 'Bloodlust' has been activated]
This skill was given to him by one of the magic boxes from doing the daily quests.
The orc shook in fear, paralyzed.
Bell seized the opening, bursting forward with explosive speed. His blade sliced through flesh and bone, cutting the creature down in one fluid motion.
Thud.
The Orc's massive body collapsed, motionless.
Lili exhaled, lowering her crossbow. "You're really something, Mister Bell..."
—
By the end of their excursion, their earnings totaled a staggering 78,000 Valis.
Bell stretched, satisfied. "Alright, let's split it evenly."
Lili stared at him as if he'd grown a second head. "Huh? But... you did most of the fighting."
Bell simply smiled. "I wouldn't have made this much without your help. So it's fair."
Lili clutched the pouch of Valis, something stirring in her chest. She had worked with adventurers before—but none had ever treated her as an equal.
For the first time in a long while, she felt something unfamiliar.
Trust.
Maybe... just maybe, Bell Cranel was different.
—
Elsewhere in Orario, a disgruntled adventurer from the Soma Familia scowled at the meager stack of Valis in his hands. "This is it? After all that work?" he muttered, his frustration evident as he grumbled about the Familia's brutal demands.
Not far from him, Misha and Eina observed from the Guild's reception desk, speaking in hushed tones.
"Another one complaining about Soma's cut," Misha noted, twirling a pen between her fingers.
Eina sighed. "It's a wonder anyone stays in that Familia. They're all desperate, trapped in his spell."
Meanwhile, high above the city in her opulent domain, Freya watched with an amused smile, her silver eyes gleaming with intrigue.
"Bell Cranel..." she mused, fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. "I think it's time we played a little more."
—
The next morning, Bell was greeted by a groan as he stepped into the Hestia Familia home.
Hestia lay sprawled out on the couch, clutching her head in agony.
"Ugh... never let me drink that much again..."
Bell chuckled, kneeling beside her with a glass of water. "Here, this should help."
She peeked at him through one eye, frowning. "Tch... you're way too nice, you know that?"
Bell smiled. It was rare to see his goddess so vulnerable—she had always been the one supporting him, yet now, she could barely lift her head.
Maybe it was time to repay some of that kindness.
"Actually, Hestia-sama," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I was thinking... how about I treat you to a meal? You know, to thank you for everything."
Hestia immediately snapped upright, hangover forgotten.
"A-A date?!"
"Eh?! N-No, I didn't mean—"
"Yes!" She sprang to her feet, suddenly full of energy. "Let's go today! Right now! I'll go get ready!"
Bell blinked as she dashed off, leaving a trail of excitement in her wake.
Within the hour, she had set the time and location for their meeting, her enthusiasm bordering on dangerous levels.
—
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Bell stood at their designated meeting spot, idly watching the bustling streets.
Hestia was late.
He shifted on his feet, wondering if he should go look for her—
Then, chaos erupted.
A wave of goddesses stormed toward him from the nearby bathhouse, their eyes sparkling with mischief and curiosity.
"Huh?! What's going on?!"
A voluptuous woman with golden locks and a warm smile stepped forward.
"My apologies," Demeter said, pressing her hands together. "I couldn't resist following Hestia to see just who she was meeting~"
Before Bell could react, his face found itself buried in an unexpected—yet incredibly soft—place.
The warmth. The scent of fresh wheat.
...Oh.
"Oh-ho?" One of the goddesses grinned. "Demeter's taking the lead!"
Hestia's voice pierced through the commotion like a war cry.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY BELL!"
Grabbing his wrist, she yanked him away, dragging him into a full sprint.
The goddesses, now in pursuit, erupted into laughter as they gave chase.
"Run, Bell! Run like your life depends on it!"
"Why does this always happen to me?!"
Through the twisting alleyways and crowded plazas of Orario, the duo zigzagged and dodged, barely staying ahead of the relentless pursuit.
After what felt like an eternity, they dove into the bell tower, pressing themselves against the stone walls as they caught their breath.
Silence.
Then, laughter.
"Wow..." Hestia murmured, glancing past him.
Bell followed her gaze.
The Babel Tower stood in the distance, illuminated by the moon's glow, a beacon of wonder and ambition.
Hestia smiled. "Let's come back here someday. Just the two of us."
Bell nodded. That didn't sound so bad.
—
Elsewhere, Lili clutched her empty pouch, her fists trembling.
"Canoe..." she gritted her teeth, glaring at the smug adventurer before her.
Her so-called Familia 'comrade' had just stolen her earnings, his cruel smirk making it clear she had no say in the matter.
"Get me Bell Cranel's knives," he ordered, flipping a coin between his fingers. "Or things might get worse for you."
Lili exhaled slowly, forcing a smile.
"Sure... I'll get it back," she lied.
She knew it was impossible. Bell wasn't that careless anymore. Besides, it was quite literally impossible.
But right now, she needs to survive.
Even if it meant deceiving herself.
---
Next: The Exploited