Chapter 7: Troubled Spirits & Hungry Goddesses

Chapter 7 Troubled Spirits and Hungry Goddesses

"Nice to meet you, my name is Welf Crozzo." The red haired man extended his hand out to shake mine.

"My name is Bell Cranell." Shake his hand in return.

"CROZZO! The cursed magic sword smiths." Eina yells out and covers her mouth with her hand.

"I would appreciate if you didn't alert every elf to my presence. I would prefer to live." He directed his frustration at Eina.

"Why would elves want to kill you Mr. Crozzo?" I said confused.

"My ancestors did horrible things to the elves. I rather not get into it here." He said scratching the back of his head.

"Bell you can't use his weapons." Eina warned.

"I like his weapons and armor Eina. They have been keeping me alive." I stared at her worried face. She looks the armor over to see the many dents from killer ants and goblin elite attacks.

"Can't really choose who or what we are born into Miss Eina. I am sure being a half elf has unique problems of its own. I fled my country to avoid continuing my family's legacy." He addressed Eina in a serious tone.

"Sorry." She was taken aback and little embarrassed.

"It's Fine. Besides Cyclops made me make the knives. I am pleasantly surprised Lady Hesphaistos wasn't messing with me when she said you bought my armor too." He smiled towards me. "Looks like it held up well."

I scratched the back of my head with my left hand. "It sure did. Ewwww." I winced in pain realizing I was injured in my shoulder.

"Aw crap. The joints need to be reinforced in future variations. You alright Bell." Welf looked concerned.

"Yeah, a killer ant landed on me." I hold a hand over the wound. I stared over and gave a pained smile to try to assure the beautiful Eina.

"Oh Bell, let me heal you." The worried Eina put her hand on my shoulder and started to chant. "Respond to the contract, light of the forest. Follow my order and heal the wounds of those that seek your Mercy. – Dio Luna." The deep cut healed over a lot faster than the last time.

"Dam how did you survive that?" Welf looked at me shocked.

"By listening to Eina's lessons. Probably good a thing I didn't go down further with Lily. Thank you Eina." I smiled wide seeing her.

"Glad you started listening to me." She smiled up at me.

"Are you two together?" Welf teased causing Rose to laugh at both of our speechless red faces. Welf noticed the clienthrope girl was trying to escape. He grabs her and holds her in front of me. "Seen this girl here was carrying your knives out of the dungeon.

The small girl was trying to squirm from his grasp. "I don't know what you're talking about creep. Get your hands off of me."

"I don't remember running into a clienthrope girl." I said looking at the girl. "My supporter was an elf."

"Two waitresses saying their friends of yours, noticed her using transformation magic. She was a prum when I saw her and changed into a clienthrope." Welf explains. "She also said she left you on floor 8 when the elf waitress threatened her."

I look into her nervous pained eyes. "Lily is that you?"

"N-no." she stuttered out with tears in her eyes.

Rose spoke up. "I believe Welf. He is one of Lady Hesphaistos favorites. Your supporter was too small for an elf anyways."

Rose turned to Eina. "Eina take her to a back room. Bell go to the back and get cleaned up in the showers. Meet us in the training room for questioning." Rose orders.

"Yes, miss Rose." Rose and Eina start walking away to the training room with Lily.

"Hey bell stop buy Sunday around noon. I can sharpen up the knives and repair your armor." Welf asks.

"Ok Mr. Crozzo."

"Just Welf. I got to go." He turns around and walks out of the guild hall.

.

.

.

I spent twenty minutes in the shower and cleaned my clothes the best I could. I went to the training room where Eina and Rose sat on either side of Lily.

"Are you gonna show us your transformation Lily?" Eina questioned the little girl.

"I cannot. I am not Lily." She yelled.

"Bull shit what were you doing with his knives coming out of the dungeon?" Rose shouted at her, as I sat down on the couch opposite to them.

"I found them." Lily lied but was obviously nervous when I sat down across from her.

"Lily it is you!" I said staring her in the eyes. They go wide in shock. "Your eyes give you away."

"H-how do you know?" Eina questioned.

"Her eyes remind me of my own when I was younger." I say in a soft nervous tone. "I was debating whether to pull you aside to talk. I thought we were having fun and earning a lot of valis together. Why did you throw a smoke bomb and monster lures at my feet and steal my knives?"

"I d-didn't …." She stutters out in fear.

I continued to stare her down and interrupt her. "You have the same voice, same height and same clothes. You told me you weren't a fighter. Looks like you barely got away from a Kobold Lily."

"I might have the answer, Bell." I turned my head to Eina. "I was nervous when you said she was in Soma familia. I went to ask Goddess Loki if she knew anything. She told me that they are desperately addicted to a pure wine. They will do anything to get it. That guy from the other day that attacked the exchange was Soma too."

"That doesn't excuse her trying to kill him at all." Rose spouted out frustrated. "Are you gonna transform or do I have to come back with status thief?"

"Lily wasn't trying to kill him." She yelled loudly with tear filled eyes. "Lily thought he would manage to get out okay."

"Why attack him?" Eina ordered.

"Lily hates adventurers. They abuse Lily, steal from her and use her as monster bait. Lily is trying to desperately to get away from Soma familia, so I steal stuff to buy my freedom. Lily has been trapped in Soma familia for years." Tears running down her cheeks. "I am sorry."

Lily held the top of her head and started her chant. "Stroke of the Midnight's Bell, Cinderella." Her ears glowed white and burned away.

My eyes went wide in surprise. "You're the prum girl that ran into me in the alley. So that guy that was trying to kill you was -?"

"He saw me change back. I stole from him because he was trying to use me as a decoy." Tears still flowing down her cheeks.

"I would have never done that to you Lily. I wanted to keep going down. You were doing a great job. We can earn valis to buy your freedom." All three women were shocked.

"Not happening." Rose shook her head.

"Rose?" Eina said.

"No. I have seniority over you Eina. I refuse to let her go. Sounds like she was scoping Bell out thinking he was an easy target." She cut me off. "By the condition of your armor, I say you barely made it out."

"I want to help her Miss Rose." I begged.

"No Bell. You're already worrying Eina to death. Lily will be locked up for a little while. Probably be safer to separate her from Soma familia before something else happens. I see no reason to trust that she will not try something again out of desperation." Rose argued. "We can lodge a formal complaint against Soma familia and try to force Lord Soma to remove his falna."

"L-Lily understands." She spoke in a low gentle voice. A little while later, two Ganesha guards came into the training room and to escort Lily away. "I am sorry Master Bell." She apologized before leaving.

Rose stands at the door looking at my gear on the table. "By the way what are those things?" Rose asks while staring down at the killer ant legs.

"Legs, I kind of ripped them off a killer ant that landed on me." I spoke nervously.

"They didn't disappear." Eina looked shocked.

"I didn't destroy the crystal. I am not sure if the elf woman, from Hermes familia, killed it."

"Elf woman." Eina questioned.

"Miss Laurier helped me out when more killer ants came down to floor 8, apparently she was close buy looking for blue butterflies."

"Glad somebody was there to help." Eina looked relieved.

"Congrats I think you found a new drop item. Don't think anybody's been in a position to rip off ant legs. Want to sell them to the exchange." Rose suggested.

"I don't know. Maybe I will get them looked at by Welf when I take them over. Not sure what I am gonna do about the dungeon now without a supporter." I let out a heavy sigh.

"Bell are you gonna be alright." Eina says concerned. She could sense my depressed tone.

"I don't know. Not sure." I scratched my face my ear sounding down in the dumps. "Sorry for worrying you both Eina. Rose. See you tomorrow I guess." I get up to walk out of the guild training room and head home.

Rose turned to Eina. "Poor guy can't catch a break."

"I know I wish Bete didn't scare him away from Loki familia." She puts her head in her hands trying to suppress a headache.

"Vanagrand's always been an ass. One of the reasons I always reject his advances." Eina looked up surprised. "Bell is one of the few adventurers I can tolerate. You seem to care a lot about him, Eina. Why don't you go make the kid howl at the moon already?" She covers her mouth and giggles at Eina's wide eyed faced.

Eina's nervously stutters out. "A-aaa-ahhhhhhh. R-rose I am his a-advisor."

Rose teased. "So what? You clearly like him?"

"He's already in love with somebody else and he's desperate to get strong to be at her side." Eina says.

"At the pace he's going. He's gonna end up dead and your unlikely to find a good person like him in this city. Believe me I know." Rose suggests. "Why not make him stop going into the dungeon and raise quarter elves with him?"

Eina face went bright red at the mention of quarter elves. Rose was laughing hard at her coworker's face. "Let's go back out and finish our shift Eina."

.

.

.

(Floor 37)

"She took care of them all by herself." Tiona says to Lefiya. Both staring shocked at the blond knight standing in the middle of a hundred spartoi corpses.

'Is this my limit? Am I destined to never be strong enough to free her? Why am I so weak?' Ais thoughts drifted to the fight with the red-haired tamer that destroyed her in a fight. 'She called me Aria. If I was stronger, I might have found out why she called me that name.'

The green haired high elf came behind her adopted daughter. Her face was visibly worried thinking Ais is falling back to the way she use to be. "Ais it's time to rest."

"I can still keep going." She pleaded.

"No" Riveria shouted at the young girl. "Ais you will rest up now." Riveria practically forced Ais to the 38th floor safe zone followed by the rest of the familia.

Aki and Alicia set their packs down and started preparing dinner. Thirty minutes later they started serving. Finn and Riveria looking after Ais. The rest eating around a firepit. "Is Miss Ais gonna be, okay?" Lefiya seemed worried for her friend.

"I don't know. I haven't seen her like this in years." Alicia sighed.

"What do you mean Alicia?" Tiona questioned the elf.

"Before you three joined. She was desperate to get stronger at all costs. Spending all of her time in the dungeon and was impossible to talk too. Lady Riveria use to have a much harder time watching over her. She has definitely calmed down since you three befriended her." She spoke to the two amazon twins and Lefiya.

"Yeah, she was downright scary and anything could set her off back then." Aki stated. "I fear what would happen if she became like that again."

'What could it be?' Lefiya wondered.

Finn and Riveria were sitting around Ais who had her face between her knees. "Finn. Riveria. I have a request." Ais said with a sad face.

"What is it Ais?" Finn stared down at the young girl.

"I want to stay behind alone." She speaks in a soft tone.

"No Ais, we are not gonna allow you to tear yourself apart again." Riveria ordered.

"I agree we are responsible for you." Finn was sitting on a tree stomp in front of her and stares down at Ais. "Why do you want to stay behind?"

"I want to get stronger. I need to get stronger." She pleaded with tears in her eyes.

Finn figured out what she wanted. "So, you want to challenge him?"

"Please." Ais begged.

"We did fill our bags up earlier than expected. We would have to wait a whole day down here for him to spawn." Finn says.

"Finn, we do have enough rations for another day." Riveria states. "Better we watch over her and help her before she explodes. She rarely ever makes a selfish request."

"Fine on the condition that she rests all day tomorrow and allows us to keep the Spartois off of her. If things seem dire, we will step in to end it." Finn ordered

"O-okay." Ais agreed. Her thoughts drifted to the innocent rabbit boy. "How is that boy getting strong so fast? He killed his first goblin less than a month ago and he was too strong for floor 6."

"I don't know. He's definitely pushing himself, especially going in all alone." Finn looked up to Riveria's worried face for answers. He sensed she might know something. Ais go eat and get cleaned up. Ais walked back to the group and was instantly tackled by Tiona.

Riveria and Finn stayed back. "Do you know something Riveria?"

Riveria sighed and place her head against the dungeon wall. "Loki seems to think he might have a rare skill. Me, Eina and Alicia have had weird jumps lately in our numbers. Ais had one after the expedition when we met him." Riveria informed Finn.

Finn's interest was piqued. "What? Is it affecting only women around him or only elves?" Finn questioned

"Not sure. No other women has had significant jumps to my knowledge. Ais and Lefiya have been around him and haven't gone up much. Only thing in common with us three, is we are all elves and we were in the arena with him when he slayed that dragon." Riveria explained.

"That is a crazy skill if true, still slaying an infant dragon after 3 weeks should be impossible." Finn's finger ache.

"Eina did more damage to it, but she said she would have died if it were not for him. Her magic hit the soft underbelly when it was distracted and Bell finished it off." Riveria recalled.

"Still, that's an amazing feat." Finn asked. "Kind of wish we were able to invite him into the familia. Even without the potential of a rare skill like that. He seems that have a good head on him and is incredibly determined. Still wonder what's driving him?"

"I don't know. I have already offered an invitation to join our familia. He thinks he owes his goddess for getting him off the street." Riveria nervously shifts in her seat against the dungeon wall.

"That was nice of you." Finn eyed the high elf suspiciously with an evil smile. "Bit weird for you. You rarely take interest in anything outside the familia. Even then you hid away in the library."

"Me and Eina have been worried about him. He did save my life too." Riveria started nervously scratching her ear. "He's always jumping head first into the dungeon alone. He keeps getting roughed up by our familia or is in the middle of our mistakes like the minotaur. His goddess tries to prevent anybody from helping him and Loki isn't looking to start a war to force a conversion." She sounded defeated.

Finn smirks at the worried elf. "I did notice Goddess Hestia's behavior. We took him home that morning. She instantly accused us of trying to steal him. I do feel bad seeing him live in the basement of an abandoned church over in the western ruins."

"What!?" Riveria looked upset. "How is that any better than the street?"

"Yeah, he really didn't want to show us. That was the only thing he tried to wiggle out of telling the whole truth, according to Loki." Finn remembered something and started chuckling. Alicia was on her way with plates of food.

"What?" Riveria stared the prum down.

"She was afraid of having an elf steal his chastity. If you keep pushing, he might think you love him. Ha-ha." He grabs his gut laughing.

"Eh, stop it! Finn. I am just worried about him. I am way too old for him." She assumed he was just making fun of her.

"I don't know he did say you were too young to be his mother, but your right. Your old enough to be his grandma." Finn fell over laughing

Riveria started to get angry. She was too tired to use a spell. She saw Tione staring over. "Hey Tione. We have a whole day on floor 38. Finn might want to share a tent."

Finn sits up really quick. He stops laughing as his eyes go wide in shock. "You evil hag." He starts running away from the pursuing Amazon, trying to lose her in the tree line.

"Oh, Captain we will have plenty of time for Snu Snu." Riveria's anger subsided seeing the hungry amazon pursue the prum.

Alicia came up with a plate of food to Riveria. She was stunned when she heard Finn talk about Goddess Hestia's fear about Bell being around elves. 'I wonder why? As long as he's not pursuing Lady Riveria. I don't mind the cute rabbit?' She giggled thinking about him. She blocked the thought from her head.

.

.

.

The next morning, I was waiting on the wall alone staring off to the west. The sun had long appeared above the horizon behind me. I could see miles of farmland stretched out to the west. "The ocean is supposed to be that way. Wonder if I will ever get a chance to see it. One of these days, I would like to go."

My thoughts wondered to last night. Goddess Hestia seemed to be in a foul mood when she updated my status. 'Swear I heard her say dam Riveriasomething and Einasomething.'

Bell Cranell Age: 15 Race: Human

Level One

Strength: C650 B767 Defense: C644 C685

Dexterity: C 672 B749 Agility: B740 A817

Magic: I0 Luck: I

"I don't understand why she is jealous. She's a god. They are immortal unchanging and divine." I shrugged my shoulders trying to comprehend it.

"I guess Eina isn't coming. I can't wait around all day. I just want to see how fast I am now." I pressed off the wall with my hands and started a few stretches.

I got down into a running stance. With all the force of my blessing and body I could muster. I raced down south on the wall trying to outrun my concerns. I blocked everything out of my sight except for the path along the wall. The market, pleasure quarter, colosseum and the dungeon became a blur. An hour later I had finished the twenty-mile run.

"Wow I guess I have improved." I beamed a smile towards the tower that penetrated the sky, scratching the back of my head feeling a lustful gaze upon me.

.

.

On the other side of the city Eina woke up late at 8am. "Oh no I am late for the run." She pouted. "I really wanted to ask him."

Looking defeated Eina prepared for work. She only was scheduled to do a half day inspecting Hesphaistos shops at babel.

.

.

The divine beauty Freya was staring down from the top of Babel tower. She wondered what had gotten him down to make him stand there and do nothing looking off to the west. She continues to watch him run the wall. His progress amazed her and there wasn't a bothersome half elf holding him back.

Her smile widens seeing his nervous face after he had finished the run-in record time. "Such a cute smile. So, you've gotten even stronger. Absolutely wonderful. Fu. Fu. Fu." She licks her lips watching the boy.

"Lady Freya." The boaz spoke up behind her.

"I feel bad for Hestia but Bell is mine." The boaz stayed silent. "I want him to become mine as soon as possible but a strange part of me doesn't want him to come to me yet." She walked over to a towering bookcase and picked out a large book. "I just can't help myself. I think it is time he learns magic. Ottar, I want you to take…."

Freya held the book close to her chest when she trailed off.

"Does something trouble you, my Lady?" Ottar asks like a guard dog awaiting her commands.

"No, it's nothing. I know exactly where to leave this book." She smiled knowing the towering boaz would probably scare him away.

She knew exactly where to take the book. To a certain bar where they first met. He would be sure to find it there. She laughed to herself staring out the tower.

.

.

.

An hour later I started walking slowly towards the babel tower. My motivation was severely lacking. I had to start carrying my pack again. "That's gonna making fighting more difficult." I passed the hostess of Fertility. Surprisingly the beautiful elf Ryu was waiting outside for me. I locked eyes with her and gave a nervous smile.

"Good morning B-Bell." She says nervously.

"Good morning Ryu. How are you doing this morning?"

"Better knowing your alive. Would you mind if we go out back and talk?" Ryu suggested.

My face curled up into a smile at the offer to talk with a beautiful fairy. "Not at all. I always like talking to you Ryu." Her body gave a nervous jolt. I followed her around back and we sat next to each other by the tree.

Sensing Ryu was nervous. "Am I causing you too much trouble with the lunches? I can pay more or stop."

"No. That's not it." Ryu assured me. "Lunches aren't a big deal. Plus, I would prefer if you don't go hungry."

"They are great. Actually, was making pretty decent money in the dungeon, but today might be difficult." I rested my head against the tree and sighed.

"Because of your supporter trying to kill you." Ryu mentions

"Right Welf said he had help from two waitresses. Thank you very much Ryu. I don't know what I would do without you." She tensed up again at my response.

"All I did was knock the blades out of her hand. Syr tripped her and noticed her magic. I saw you exit the dungeon covered in blood." She tries to hid her concern with her usual stoic voice.

"You cared enough to almost run down there and save my butt again. Your lesson with the killer ant was put the great use. One dropped on me while I was dealing with 5 goblin elites."

"So, you are one floor 8 already B-Bell? Why did you go to 8 if you were surprised by an ant?" Ryu was taken back.

"I was actually hoping to start floor 9 but that might not be a good idea without a supporter. I was bit distracted by a smoke bomb and monster lures as well as weaponless." I looked up really quick and shook my head back and forth nervously. "I did pull its head out of its body and finished off the goblins with its only legs."

Ryu's eyes were wide in shock. Wondering how the heck did he go from floor 6 to surviving an ambush on floor 8. "That is a crazy thing to survive at your level B-Bell."

"Hehe" I chuckled looking at her face.

"What is it?" She tilted her head confused

"You look really cute when you're nervous. Didn't think it would be that difficult to call me by my name either." Surprisingly her face went red.

"Sorry." She says nervously. "Glad you keep pulling through. Wish I was allowed back into the dungeon. I would help you."

"You have already been helping me out so much. Just happy to keep talking with a beautiful forest fairy." Ryu was quiet for a few minutes. I Remembered Eina's reaction and Welf's story. "Ryu, why do elves hate Crozzo?"

The flustered Ryu was able to calm herself and focus on the smith. "Crozzo is a name, elves can't ignore. Are you sure you want to hear it?"

"Welf seems like a good guy and he is my smith. I just don't want to scare away elves like you, Eina or Riveria."

The mention of the high elf casually spoken like a friend raised Ryu's eyebrow in surprise. "Crozzo are family of magic sword smiths. They resided in the kingdom of Rakia close to Orario. They obtain nobility by producing a large supply of these swords. Enough to outfit whole armies. They didn't need to strategize to lay waste to their enemies, burning them out of existence."

"So the Elves…..?" My heart was starting to hurt.

"The fires of war reach an Elvish Forest. They were smoked out as their homeland burned. The elves joined a familia of the god Freyr. When it came time for revenge, the Rakians no longer had their magic swords. The elves killed many in return." Her eyes flashed seeing my sickening response. "That is why Crozzo is a name elves can't ignore."

"And for you Ryu?"

With a blank expression. "No, I harbor no ill will."

"Ehhhhhh, you don't!?" I said shocked.

"These are nothing but past events. Also, my homeland was not directly affected."

"Ah, I see. That's a surprise." My hand rested on one of my minotaur knives.

Ryu noticed. "Can I see your knife, Bell? I noticed your armor was made by him."

"Umm, sure." I pulled one of them out of its sheath.

"So, he made these?" She looked at the red tinted metal. "Mino…taur." She said confused looking at me.

"Two weeks ago, a minotaur escaped the Loki familia and found me on floor 5." Ryu looked like she was gonna be sick, her eyes wide in shock. "Riveria saved me in time. I found a minotaur horn in my bag and went to the Twilight manor to give it to her. She helped me find a smith to craft the blades, in my price range. Tsubaki gave the job to Welf Crozzo."

"Wow that's a weird set of coincidences. You have piqued the interest of Lady Riveria too." She saw my face go tomato red. She chuckled. "Why an elvish blade?"

"At first I was hoping to get a copy of your s-shortswords. I really like how they felt in my hands during our training sessions. There wasn't enough raw material for two so Tsubaki said how about two knives. Then she told me eastern or elvish…." I trailed off.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha." Ryu laughed uncharacteristically. "So, Lady Riveria is the woman you will do anything it takes to be by her side." To Ryu's shock I passed out and fell back into the grass. "Pfft" She chuckled, before nervously lifting my head and putting it into her lap.

A few minutes later my mind was fuzzy, and my eyes blurry. I was confused that my head was lying on something extremely comfortable but I was outside. I looked up to see a red faced Ryu. I shifted my head a little causing her to tense up. I realized where my head was on her lap, causing my heart rate to speed up, until I felt a hand on my chest.

"C-calm down. J-just give it a few m-minutes." She said nervously.

"O-o-okay." I stuttered out.

"B-Bell. I think it's beautiful that you care about Lady Riveria so much. Realistically she is a princess. I don't think that would be a good idea." She warned softly.

"I-I know." She sensed the sadness in my voice. I raised my head off her lap. "So, you heard me on floor 6?"

"Yes, I was watching you for a while. I was amazed by your progress. Still am. Why Lady Riveria?" She looked at me with interest.

"I feel like my heart was set on fire whenever I am around her. I want to be there for her. She makes me want to become stronger man. Your smile kindles that flame too." I confessed.

"Unfortunately, with my past. All I would do is cause you harm." She whispered in a low voice.

She cut me off before I could question her. She continued. "Your goal isn't wrong. It's purely motivated by love. Out of all the humans and elves, you are a worthy person. However elven pride can be a dangerous obstacle to overcome. I think for now you should focus on remaining alive in the dungeon."

"I w-will." My heart fluttered.

"The smith looks like he produces good quality for his level. As long as he doesn't produce magic swords. I see no reason not to trust him." Ryu encouraged.

"He said something about fleeing his country to avoid his family's legacy." I recalled.

"T-that's good." Ryu smiled "If you need help confronting lady Riveria about your smith. Let me know. I have to get back to work." Ryu stood up and reached a hand down to me.

I was taken aback. "You…." She grabbed my hand and hoisted me up.

"Take it easy in the dungeon Bell." She walked off into the hostess leaving my mind spinning.

.

.

.

Three hours later, I surfaced from the dungeon. I only went down to floor 6 to get enough drops to pay for my equipment and food. I was able to get 20 thousand valis. Sat on a park bench on the northmost side eating the lunch made by Ryu, just observing people go in and out of the tower. "Here I am once again doing it all by myself like a crazy person. Why won't she recruit? I really need some help."

"Bell." A soft beautiful voice of the half elf Eina rang out.

"Afternoon Eina. Lucky meeting you here." I smiled.

"Luck, Ha-ah." She chuckled. "Surprised you're not in the dungeon."

"I was. I just got enough to keep up with expenses and food. Probably get hurt if I dig out too many monster stones." I trailed off. "Surprised you're not at the guild hall Eina."

"I only had a half day, inspecting Hesphaistos shops. Sorry I woke up late this morning." She gives a apologetic smile.

"Its fine. You probably needed the rest." I smiled back at her. "Did miss my training partner but I was able to test how fast I have become?"

"Oh, how did you do?" she asks

"Under an hour." I chuckled at her wide-eyed response.

"Wow." She shakes her head. "Bell would you be able to walk me home. I have something I would like to ask you about tomorrow."

I remember something from last week. "I would ask you to get something to eat but I already ate." I put away my lunch box and followed her north.

Her face flushed red for a second. "Oh yeah I remember my familia function got in the way."

"How are things with your familia?" I asked

"I been too busy with work. I don't really know anybody outside Alicia and Lady Riveria. Rest of the higher ups are on their expedition. I did go ask my goddess about Soma familia." She looked toward the ground. "I am sorry I wish I told you sooner."

"It's fine. You cared enough to check." Thirty minutes later outside her apartment. "What did you want to ask me Eina?"

"Tomorrow is my day off work. I was wondering if I could go down in the dungeon with you." She offered.

"That would be amazing but are you sure you're ready to go back down there." I stared into her emerald eyes.

"I trust my hero will keep me safe and I do still want to improve. Though can we skip the morning run? I am not that insane yet." She giggled.

"Hehe." I laughed. "I would like to go with you, but won't you get in trouble with the guild." I said worried.

"It is my day off. I can do anything I want. Plus, I can wear a hood to cover my face." She tried to reassure me.

"Okay I will meet you at 9:30 at Babel, if you're sure you won't get in trouble." I smiled.

"Nice to make you paranoid for once." To my surprise she walks up to me and grips me into a hug. Her perfumed soft body was making my body tense up and body heat up.

"E-Eina." Shocked by her touch.

"I am glad you are safe, Bell." She released me and smiled. "See you tomorrow." She walks inside.

'I swear this is getting difficult. My heart tells me Riveria but my mind is spinning over Eina and Ryu. I swear I am hopeless.' I shake my head and walk to the church unaware of Loli sized stalker watching me angrily.

.

.

.

I made it home close to 1pm. I started removing my armor and cleaning it. A few minutes later the door opens up and Goddess Hestia walks into the room.

"Afternoon Bell."

"Afternoon Goddess. Your off early."

"I asked off. Feeling overworked lately. Surprised you're not in the dungeon." She calmed herself trying to enact her plan.

"With all the trouble with my supporter, that I told you about last night. I was really feeling motivated. I just got enough to cover expenses." I spoke.

"How about spending the evening with your poor overworked goddess?" She pouted

In the back of my head. 'She works like 4 hours a day selling Jaga maru.' I put down my armor. "I guess I do have enough saved up to treat my goddess and I am free."

"Good meet me at Armor square in the Southwest Main at 6pm. There is a nice restaurant there." She smiled.

"Okay goddess." I agreed.

Goddess Hestia hugged me. "Good it's a date." She smiled and released me before walking out of the church. Leaving me wide eyed.

"Eh"

.

.

.

A couple hours later two red headed goddess's Loki and Hesphaistos were relaxed in a private jacuzzi above in the divine bathhouse.

Hesphaistos agreed to the trickster's invitation. She wanted the stresses of the last week to melt away like nothing happened. She rested her head by the padded siding and just relaxed letting the bubbly water flow over her ample body. Until. "L-Loki knock it off." She clutched her chest feeling the trickster's hands grope her bare skin.

"Awe come on Fey-Fey. Those big things are great and finally you get to relax for once." Loki gave off an evil smile.

"Key word is to relax. I agreed to hangout and talk with my friend not be groped." She rolled her eyes at the mischievous goddess.

"Oh fine. All my best girls are away on the expedition. I miss seeing them. Especially my girl Ais-pu." She wiped the drool from her face.

"Does she know that?" Hesphaistos says sarcastically.

"She will be eventually. You find a man yet, Fey-Fey?"

"Not yet but there are two interesting candidates." Her face blushed.

"Oh gossip, spill sister." She smiles towards her friend.

"One is a red-haired smith welf Crozzo. His magic blades are amazing but he refuses to make them." She says with a hint of sadness.

"Boring. Hehe." She chuckles at Hesphaistos smirk. "Who's the other?" Hesphaistos sinks half her face into the water nervously. "Ah come on Fey-Fey don't leave me hanging."

Hesphaistos rose her mouth above the water. "Hestia's boy Bell. He called me a goddess of beauty." She sinks back down.

Loki covers her face and laughs hard. "He's not far off Fey-Fey. Without Hera's mark you would give Freya a run for her money. Glad I kicked that bitch Hera out."

"Thank you, Loki." She smiled towards her friend.

"So, what brought this on from Itty-Bitty's child." Loki asked

"I was yelling at Hestia about something outside of one of my shops. He was there on a date with a half elf holding a box of armor. He's been buying regular weapons and armor from Welf. He didn't seem to think I was the smithing goddess." Hesphaistos recalled.

"That rabbit is getting around." Causing a Hesphaistos to raise her head confused. "A few of my elven girls are smitten with him. The half elf Eina is in my familia. Another woman even lies to me about her feelings every time I tease her."

"I can understand. He's very charming." Hesphaistos cheeks tinge pink.

"So why were you and Itty-Bitty arguing?" Loki propped her head up with her hands staring at her friend in the eye with an evil grin.

"Ughh." Hesphaistos face looked upset. "I came here to relax. Fine, you were right of course. She was begging me again. She wanted to buy Bell's love with a first-class weapon. I told her an estimate and a down payment. She freaked out and just about insulted my craft out of desperation."

"Geez that is desperate. Glad you're finally listening to me. I feel bad for that boy all alone in that church with her." Loki said irritated.

"Me too now. Surprised she has one person in her familia. She had 4 months and hasn't even tried to recruit. If that boy had a hint of smithing talent. I would think about taking him myself." Hesphaistos confession made Loki snort and laugh. Hesphaistos just smirked. "I am glad your elven women are helping him find stuff at least."

Before Loki could respond. Loki and Hesphaistos were interrupted by a loud voice.

"HESTIA'S GOT A MAN!" both red haired goddesses rolled their eyes and leaned over to stare at the Loli goddess being interrogated by Demeter.

Demeter smiled slightly jealous at Hestia. "What made you fall for your child?"

With a huge smile Hestia said, "Oh everything. Anyway, I got to go. It's almost time for our date." The naked Hestia leaves to the changing room as all the other goddesses huddle together to hatch a plan.

"Itty-Bitty couldn't even mention one thing about him." Loki rolled her eyes. "Hey Fey-Fey, want to do something Mischievous?"

Hesphaistos smiles towards Loki and just giggles. "Sounds like fun Loki."

.

.

.

At 5:50pm I was waiting outside nervously. I realized why she chose this place. There were many couples preparing for dates and snuggling up close to each other. 'I fell for it.'

Their intimate actions made my face go slightly red imagining taking Riveria here. 'I swear when I learn magic and level up. I will tell her how I feel, regardless. This weight on my heart hurts. Why did I have to be born human?' I looked down depressed but hopeful my luck ability might help me.

Goddess Hestia arrives in front of me in a new dress with her hair down. "Bell, Sorry I am late. I meant to get here earlier." She says with reddening cheeks.

"It's okay goddess. I just got here."

"Do you like how I look Bell? I am trying something new." She says seeking approval.

"You look nice and more refined than usual and pretty." I confessed.

"R-really I was hoping to give myself a chance against any elf." She smiled affectionately.

"Goddess." I laugh nervously.

"You better be a good escort for me tonight." She pouted.

"Okay." I nervously grab hold of her hand and started walking north.

"AH FOUND THEM!" A woman yelled out to her friends. Within a few seconds we were surrounded by a bunch of beautiful women. To my shock they were all goddesses.

"So that means the one next to her!" The one with the hugest breasts was smiling ear to ear at the cute rabbit.

"Demeter, what are you all doing ….?" Hestia says shocked.

Seconds later, they all pushed past Hestia, sending her to the ground and were smothering me with their bodies. I don't even think I could find my way out of the heavenly bosom of 6 goddesses with a map. My face was beyond red and I couldn't speak with so much cushioning.

Two red heads near bye were staring with amazement. "Wow I need that kid's luck ability." Loki chuckles.

"Eh Luck, Hestia mentioned that before." Hesphaistos tilted her head confused.

"Shhhh. My girl saw it on his back. Luck Development ability at level one. He willingly showed her." Loki said in hush tone to the wide single eye Hesphaistos.

Demeter was still snuggling my head between her otherworldly rack with a blushing face, still surrounded by a half dozen other goddesses. "Sorry Hestia. We were so curious about your child. Oh, my he does look like a rabbit. I could eat him up." She smiled seductively down at me. "I grow many carrots on my farms. You can have some or do you have one of your own?"

For a second, I stopped struggling as the thought crossed my mind. Causing all the goddesses to giggle at my tense body and red face. Somehow, I stumbled out of the goddess pile and landed my face in the chest of the divine smith. "S-s-sorry." I mumbled between goddess Hesphaistos cleavage.

"Oh, are you trying to get my forge hot cute rabbit." She giggled down at me between her chest.

"Hesphaistos." Hestia's eyes water over. "Get off of him you skanks." She screams out at the top of her lungs. She runs forward to grab me and is tripped up by the trickster Loki.

"Talk about desperate. We're all just having a bit of fun Itty-Bitty. So, what kind of trick did you pull to force him on a date with you." She talked down to the loli goddess on the ground as the group of goddess's starts pulling me away down to a diner called the Wishe café.

"I am not desperate just keep your elves away from my Bell." She warned and began to stand up.

"Oh, you keep specifying elves. He got an elf fetish or something." Loki giggled.

"N-n-no, just keep your Riversomething and Einawhatits away from my Bell." Hestia turns around. "Bell lets go. B-B-Bell where is he?"

"He got dragged away by everybody a while ago. He might become a man tonight. Wonder whose familia residence is gonna host that show. Suppose I could sneak into the pile." She trailed off drooling.

"WHAT!?" Hestia yelled and took off fast down the road.

.

.

.

Twenty minutes later I was surrounded by seven divine beauties of Tenkai. Each a goddess of a familia. My eyes were wide in shock from this strange turn of events. My face was completely red and clearly flustered staring at the goddesses hanging on me. Staff and customers were staring at all seven of them and myself. Many out of jealousy. I was speechless and tensed up being snuggled, patted and groped by the hungry goddesses.

"Yo, so this is where you all took him?" The flat chested goddess Loki arrived. I was starting to get dizzy as an 8th goddess surrounded me.

"Where is Hestia?" Demeter giggled as a hand wandered up my leg causing me to jump.

"Eep"

"Surprised you didn't take the bunny to a more private location. Ha-ah. Itty-Bitty is running around in a panic. Worth it to see her face." Loki clutched her side causing the rest to chuckle along.

"Is she okay?" I spoke up clearly nervous.

"Probably." She shrugged her shoulders. "Surely you didn't want to be forced into a date with her Bell." Loki gave an evil smile towards me.

Hephaistos chuckled. "She has been my best friend for eons but even I have been annoyed by how desperate she has been around you."

I scratched the back of my head. "Y-yes she has b-been. Sorry if goddess Hestia caused you problems Lady Hesphaistos."

"Don't be. You found help on your own and upgraded your equipment. I can respect that and it was so nice to be treated as a beautiful in your eyes." She reached out for my hand causing me to shiver.

"Every woman should be treated well and told how beautiful they are. You are all goddesses. Your beauty is nearly unmatched." I nervously spoke out with my heart racing.

"Awe" a few goddesses swooned loudly as others giggled.

"I do wish you wouldn't lean your head to one side. I don't know what happened to your eye, but I think every person would like to see your whole smile." I suggested.

She shifted her head around and smiled making my heart flutter. "Are you already in love with somebody Bell?" Hesphaistos questioned.

"S-s-sorry." I stuttered out. "I am."

"Why aren't you on a date with her? Elf right hehe." Loki questioned.

I tensed up at that remark and took a deep breathe. "Y-yes. I am not confident enough to tell her. Until I can get stronger and even then, it might be impossible because of how amazing she is -." I confessed.

"You have only been in Orario a month and fell in love." Loki shrugged her shoulders again. "Just go an tell her."

"Though I guess with Hestia it might be difficult. Dammed werewolf scared you away from my familia." I subconsciously touched my shoulder thinking about that day.

Goddess Ninkasi asks. "Feel like I seen you at my place before."

"Same here." Goddess Creiddylad agreed.

"I don't remember you ever stopping bye." Hesphaistos pouted. "Why did you join Hestia?"

"I went to over fifty familias to apply and was thrown out. I didn't have any smithing experience so I didn't try your familia Lady Hesphaistos." I recalled nervously. "And I found Goddess Hestia in a random alley."

"Awe. Now I am sad." Demeter hugged me. The others noticed me my wide eye dizzied response and chuckled.

"Swear I seen you recently in public. Were you at monsterphilia?" Goddess Ninkasi asks

"Now that you mention it. I thought I seen him fighting." Demeter pulled away and looked me over.

Loki snickered. "He took on an infant dragon alone at level 1 before my half elf helped him. Those blades were put to good use Fey-Fey." Hesphaistos eye opened wide in shock.

Seven of the goddesses were licking their lips hungrily as Loki was about to burst from laughter. "I want him." Demeter squeezed me again

Ninkasi and Hesphaistos tried to push her off. As goddess Creiddylad started kissing my cheeks and whispered into my ear. "Could follow us back home tonight young one."

Goddess Bastet purrs into my ear and begins to help Creiddylad. "Could join my familia? You look fluffy and fertile."

I look side to side nervously looking for an escape. 'Riveria would never give me a chance if I slept around with many women.'

"Goddess Hestia." I tried to distract the goddesses by randomly calling out her name. The two goddesses broke their contact and looked over, allowing me to slide out between them. I slid between Demeter's legs. Dropped a small coin pouch at the counter and jumped over the fence to hide from the hungry goddesses pursuing me as Loki cackled the whole time.

"Over here!" Lady Creiddylad yelled out when she found me. Lot of other goddesses rounded the corner behind her. I ran the fastest I could but somehow, they kept pace. I spin jumped between vendor stalls and propelled myself up an alley wall using my strength to hold me in place. I held myself in place for twenty minutes before their voices were distant.

Slowly I snuck back across to the western district. Trying to avoid the goddesses all the way home. Finally, they gave up their pursuit.

A few hours later, I stumbled back to the church in a daze. Exhausted and covered with lipstick and perfume. My clothes were roughed up and damp from sweat.

"If they were elves, I would have been in heaven and been a proud father to a forest of children." Before collapsing on the sofa.

"Amazing." I mumbled out before going to sleep.

.

.

.

Tired and searching for hours. Hestia stumbled into a bar with tears on her face. "Barkeep alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol." One after another she threw back pint after pint.

"Bell, Bell, You cheater." She cried out chugging another.

Ryu had noticed the loli goddess and overheard what she said. She felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. "Lady Hestia perhaps you should stop drinking and go back home."

"I will tell you when I had enough elf. Give me more." She burped loudly. Ryu and Syr continued to serve her drinks as Mia monitored her tab.

"Bell" She cried again in grief.

"What's up doll? I can fill that void for you." A random rough looking dude came up to her at the bar.

"Go away!" She screams at the top of her lungs as her divinity leaked out, in her inebriated state. The man fled in terror breaking a stool. Many of the surrounding patrons shivered in fear.

"Deranged goddess will not be destroying my bar. Get out." Mia grabbed her and tossed her out into the street. "Ryu"

"Yes, Mamma Mia."

"Tail her to see where her familia is located. So, I know where to send the bill." Mia ordered.

Ryu already knew but thought it wise to follow her. She quickly took off her waitress apron. She left the hostess to stalk after the Loli goddess.

To Ryu's surprise Goddess Hestia wasn't going west. She was stumbling north towards the guild. Twenty minutes later she managed to find her way into the guild entrance to the shock of guild staff working the closing shift.

Immediately she was confronted by the Clienthrope section leader Rehmer and silver haired elf Sophie. Both of them could smell the pungent alcohol emanating from her body. "My lady, tell us what is wrong. Why have you come to the guild drunk?" Rehmer asked

"You a *burp* fluffy dog. Are you a good boy? *burp* un like my Bell."

Sophie recognized she was Bell's goddess. The brat Eina has been protecting. She had an idea. "Rehmer I am gonna go ask Royman what he wants to do with her."

"Alright Sophie." He sat goddess Hestia in a chair as Sophie walked off to Royman's office.

A few minutes later Sophie entered the abandoned guild hall lobby tailed by a fat elf guild head Royman. "What is the meaning of this Goddess Hestia?" Royman blurted out trying to stay respectful but at the same time agitated by a low ranked goddess barging into the hall drunk.

"A-advisor….going to…. Dungeon…. Cheat with …*burp*... Bell." Sophie smiled ear to ear as Royman's face went into an angry scowl.

Sophie asked the guild head. "What should we do with her Mr. Mardeel?"

"Put the goddess in the training room to sleep off her drunken state. I will handle the rest later. Just have one of the guards check up on her." Royman ordered both guild employees.

"As you wish Sir?" Rehmer ordered a female and male Ganesha guard to walk her back to the sofa to sleep off her impending hangover.

Waiting outside for an hour. Ryu realized that she would be safe at the guild and made her way back to the Hostess to report to Mia. She really didn't want to force it onto Bell but she had no choice. "Sorry Bell." She whispered to herself.

.

.

.

(Floor 37 Deep Floor White Palace)

The eight members of Loki familia were stationed around the inner sanctum of the white palace. Ready for the near calamitous fight to start with the floor boss. They spent the evening packing up their camp and clearing out as much of floor as possible to make the fight easier for Ais.

"Ais if I see you having trouble. I will cast veil breath on you first to help you out. If you struggle anymore we will step in Ais." She spoke to the blond knight.

"Okay Riveria." Ais took a deep breath. As the whole floor that was the size of Orario shook.

"Booooooooom." The ground split open and a giant black skeletal hand broke out. A colossal roar filled the floor as the giant black skeleton king broke was birth. The level 6 floor boss Uduaes was born.

"This is nuts. She's gonna fight that thing alone." Tiona yelled to her sister.

"Keep your eye on the horde and keep them off her Tiona. Watch you don't aggro the big bastard or Ais will kick your butt." Tione yelled.

"Miss Ais." The fear stricken elf Lefiya's cries go on deafened ears staring at her angry friend..

"Lefiya, Tione Tiona. You are on crowd control. Keep the spartois off her. Aki and Alicia protect the mages. Riveria will monitor Ais if she needs help." Finn orders.

The undead king roared once more staring down at the Loki familia elites. It's roar summoned hundreds of level 4 Spartois. That charged on their king's orders.

"AWAKEN TEMPEST" Ais yells and is instantly surrounded by an aura of wind magic.

.

.

Alicia starts off the combat shooting her bow at charging Spartois. Each spartoi dropping on impact. Lefiya unleashes her spell Fusillade Fallarica. The spell impacting in front of the Udueas taking out 40 spartois.

Ais burst forward through the firey opening, her wind fanned the flames sideways killing a few more spartoi. Ais redirected her wind down narrowly avoiding a large hand from the floor boss and continued her charge towards the ribcage. Landing her Desperate sword on the ribcage shattering one of the ribs surrounding the exposed monster stone.

Angered the floor boss unleashed its magic attack. Using its body to send hundreds of razor-sharp spikes out of the ground. Guided by the floor boss. Everything below the base of the spine was connected to the dungeon.

Lefiya began to chant again but was cut off immediately when the body of a snake dragon like monster Peluda came crashing to the ground in front of her. Sniped by one of Alicia's arrows. "Whew" Before being grabbed by Finn and thrown back away from an incoming spartoi squad

"Pay attention Lefiya." Finn ordered before he speared one threw the head with his Fortia spear and spun the spear around killing five more in a rapid motion.

Ais kept the complete focus of the Floor boss with everybody else keeping their distance. Using her wind magic to race in and out. Using hit and run tactics to slow the floor boss.

'What is haunting you Ais? Your acting recklessly like when you achieved level two at 8 years old. This fight takes a battle party of 30 to normally win.' Riveria's mind was worried focusing on Ais.

"Wind, more strength, more speed. Rage Tempest!" With blinding speed Ais severed the left arm of black skeleton causing the morale to go up seeing it weaken. She missed her follow up attack.

Finn's finger started to ache. "Spread out in pairs." He ordered to the surprise. The black skeleton enraged at the loss of his arm sank his remaining arm into the dungeon floor and pulled out a massive black sword to everybody's shock.

The joints in its arm started spinning and glowing red. The floor boss raised his arm up in the air with all its might ready to slam it down on Ais. "Ariel full power….escape." Ais turned tail and sped off narrowly avoiding being smashed into oblivion by the sword, but was caught in the massive cone-like shockwave. She was collapsed on the ground like a broken doll. The floor was damaged for a hundred feet.

"That wasn't even a direct hit." Riveria was worried.

"Riveria start your attack spell." Finn ordered.

"STAY OUT OF THIS." Ais screams desperately.

She gets back up and charges throw a horde of spartoi. Her wind enveloping them all and breaking them all to pieces. She narrowly dodged the spiked and cut off half of the king's crown. Again she was flung across the floor by a vertical slash she barely managed to parry.

The skeleton king mocked the semi defeated Ais and roared with laughter as more spartois rose to fill the ranks. Ais mind was flooding with self-doubt picturing the violas plant monsters eating her familia as the red hair tamer skewered her friends with a sword.

"No, I refuse to die." Her thoughts linger on the white haired boy for a few seconds. I will get stronger. She wiped randomly at a red haired apparition that turned out to be a spartoi going in for the kill.

'Ais I refuse to let you die. Just like him. You are to dear to me Ais.' Her thoughts were racing before she decided to start her defensive spell.

"Assemble, breath of the land – my name is Alf. – Veil Breath." Ais body flooded with green light from Riveria's magic. The defense spell healed the body slightly and raised all physical and magical resistances to help Ais endure the fight.

Uduaes was distracted by another fire spell launched at his army and turned to the twins and Lefiya. He turned and prepared to land his blade on the trio trying to escape when he felt two arrows pierce his hand, causing his grip to loosen on the blade. Tiona was carrying the flustered Lefiya when they heard the roar of pain.

"Awaken temptest." Ais screams still injured but with Riveria's magic coursing throw her body.

She charges the distracted floor boss. "Ariel full power, LIL RAFAGA." She screams at the top of her lungs. She severs the sword and cuts threw half of the body. Arm included. The beast was still standing but vulnerable.

The twins, Finn and Aki cleared the horde of spartois for her as she charge one last time breaking the ribcage completely. A minute later she was standing on top of the undead king pleading to live and desperately kill the intruders, before she sank her blade deep into the monster crystal. Shattering it and filling the room with ash.

Ais collapsed on the spot. Riveria was just in time to catch her. The unconscious Ais resting against her lap. She started her healing spell Luna Aldis to help her recover.

"Riveria." Ais spoke out in a gentle voice.

"Yes Ais." Happiness gripped her heart hearing her voice.

"I am sorry." She fell asleep in the high elf's lap.

"Wow she did it." The twins jumping for joy hanging onto each other's hands.

Finn ordered, "Collect up the drops and we will rest for a few hours until Ais recovers. After that we will make our way out of the dungeon over the next two days."