Ello! I got nothing honestly to explain my absence. I did mean to come back earlier but... yeah.
: Status :
Bell Cranel - Lv. 1
Str: H-120
End: I-42
Dex: H-139
Agi: G-227
Mag: I-21
DrE: G-212
Magic(s) -
[DragonShot]
Skill(s) -
[SACRED GEAR] Boosted Gear: Status: G-220
(1st Liberation)—Skill(s):
Passives:
Affinity, Dragon Energy
Actives (cDrE-based):
Boost, Explosion, Reset
: Potential x Passion III :
"K-Kami-sama?" Hesitatingly, Bell questioned his Goddess' action.
.
|:[Dragon x Drive]:|
.
Instead of tending to his inquire, the infamous "Loli big-boobs" removed herself from atop his back, only to shake him vigorously after he rose to face her. "Bell!" She slapped his [Status] into his face, not caring for his response. "Explain this!" Pointing at the translated words of divinity, she finally relented on her assault.
The boy immediately locked onto his [Skill] section. "I have a [Skill]?!" Not just any one, but one that branched out to multiple skills even!
"Not that!" Near drilling a hole in the paper, she focused upon Lesser Affinity using one meager finger. "This! Are you planning to cheat on me, HUH BELL?!"
"Eh?!" He couldn't understand his Goddess at times. She couldn't possibly mean "cheat" in... that way... There was no way a God could love a mortal, right? Right. ...Perhaps, it was just her expressing her loneliness? Gods were rather infamous for their "uniqueness," to say the least. And, they did leave heaven because they were lonely or bored—he assumed for most of them at least, "I- K-Kami-sama, I don't ever plan to leave you." He remained oblivious to Hestia's sudden flinch, "You granted me my powers—I owe you everything!" Without her, he'd still be on the streets, hopping back and forth between familia, losing hope with every 'no.'
He looked weak. He was weak. However, no longer did he lack the means to attain great power. The hands at his sides curled into trembling fist. He'd do for himself, his grandpa, his Goddess and the future familia they'd create together. Unbeknownst to them both, his ruby eyes pierced through the mystical emerald aura they emanated.
"A-A-A-Ahhh~" Hands to her cheeks, she wriggled in happiness, "Of course, my perfect little Bell wouldn't leave me for some floozy!"
Wryly smiling, he looked away. Sometimes, they, Gods, were far too confusing... However, glancing away from his Goddess caused his gaze to fall upon the sheet that had contained his Status in writing. ...There were far too many alarming things that followed his "sole" Skill. "Kami-sama..." His tone was serious.
"Y-Yes?"
"Isn't..." He couldn't bring harm to his Goddess. He refused to even think about something such as that, "Isn't this actually really dangerous?" After all, words like 'GODKILLER' weren't to be used lightly at all.
"Bell-ku— No, Bell, I think you missed the word, 'hero.'" Upon her proud expression sat a lovely smile. Slender arms pulled him into her motherly bosom, as Bell found it in himself to finally relax. "The last wielder... he was a [Hero], who stayed true to his desires." The aura of sure death from the Minotaur, almost losing an arm alongside a pain he'd never thought he'd imagine and being surrounded by strangers—even if in one of the top familia who saved—it had been a surprise that he was able to keep his cool, even if just outwardly. "I'm sure your path with be dangerous..." And, his Goddess never failed to see right through him. "Let me, this useless [Goddess of the Hearth], share this burden with you." Her chin landed upon the crown of his head, akin to the motherly touch he could no longer remember from infancy. "Rest now Bell. You more than deserve it."
In other words, she would deal with it if anyone were to find out.
...Meaning she would hide it for as long as she could, which would be for eternity if she had any say about it. Duh. Hestia couldn't help but frown a little as her Bell-sense began tingling.
This time, he dreamed not of a Minotaur, but of the glance of golden hair that pulled him from the depths of Taurus.
"Thanks for coming to this impromptu meeting." Finn's serious tone wasn't very welcoming as his clasped hands sat before him.
"Yuh, even I'd know how important these lil meetings are," the fatherly [Dwarf], Gareth, replaced his helmet onto the table before them.
Riveria sent a look to the short man before deciding to address a different matter. "This is about... that boy?"
The younger-looking man was flooded from the events of their failure. From Hestia's overwhelming divinity that didn't match her outward personality and the rumors to their findings that that boy had, indeed, defeated a Minotaur, it had just been one thing after another. "That is right." ...One body after another in between.
The gruff demi-human grunted, "I don't see what durs to talk about da yungster. If anything, it was our problem."
"—You glanced at his Status, right, Riveria?" The [Prum] didn't quite disregard his fellow demi-human's words.
The [Elf] in question stiffened, having been caught. Simply sharing one's stats were akin to sharing one's most intimate secrets. One's reputation could be on the line. Some Skills and Magics weren't as intimate due to it usually being tied to their jobs or positions, whether in the field or not, and most of them are shared between even friends and comrades. And yet, she had dared to look upon it, as a stranger when her curiosity had overcome her, temporarily. "I couldn't hel—"
He shook his head, in what wasn't quite dismissive. "I'm not asking for specifics, but was there anything strange?"
She closed her eyes, filled with unsureness, duty and morality. "...No, there wasn't, except for the lack of sufficient stats, and the fact," a folder fell upon the table before all of them, "he's a rookie, not even a month into his Adventure."
Gareth's eyes didn't narrow or widen. In fact, they were exactly how they were before, unrelenting in his belief. "He's also the sole member of the Hestia Familia, one without a contracted Supporter." Two pair of eyes had zoomed onto him at the lack of his accent. "You told me to find out who he was, after all." It was how Finn found to seek out Hestia, after all.
The green-haired female started in disbelief, "T-There has to be someone that helped h—"
"Der wus no one." The [Dwarf] sighed, "Yuh oversaw duh forensics, or have yuh forgotten, [Elf]?" Gareth was right. All they found was varying footsteps, shards that belonged to some knife, some unknown magical pollution that matched the leftover radiance from that boy's body and blood belonging to the Minotaur, other fallen adventures and that boy's own. "As aye said before, aye don't see what dur is to say."
The two executives flinched to the piercing gaze of the Head of the Loki Familia, even if it hadn't left the folder.
"Aiz took a year to reach level 2, right?" He didn't need nor want an answer. "This 'Bell Cranel'—his growth in that battle would tremendous." The exilia released from the level 2 monster, a powerful one at that as shown by its resilience to escape and drudge with a path of blood, poured into the meager level 1 adventurer shortened the usual timestamp of a few years into two or just over three years. One year if the boy continued on his adventure like so.
Such growth would make him a prominent figure to keep watch over.
The first female in the room didn't deny it, forgoing the comment completely, in favor of another concerning subject—one she decided to ignore until now. "Finn, I saw 'The Age of Heroes (Second-Coming).' How should we proceed?"
The man didn't have an answer. The amount of mysterious energies littering seemingly random but dangerous events were growing... as were the people vanishing. However, having had caught one of the these events in progress, Rivera had watched a burning body's status change without the ichor of Gods. 'The Age of Heroes (Second-Coming),' it said in nearly blinding text before the body exploded in purple flames.
Heroes, in their day and age, were relics of the past, Loki had shared also asking they keep this subject under upmost secrecy. They were practically legends of legends. Nowadays, few people became legends, but no one was ever herald as a [Hero]. Such a title was temporary and was empty in the long run.
"So, he is a hero."
A new voice joined the fray, "Is who a [Hero]?"
Golden eyes twinkled as the door clicked, locked.
...So much for secrecy.
[Six days timeskip]
Nearly week had past but her newest appointed Adventurer hasn't shown up. Her heart sunk when a coworker told the Loki Familia was looking for information based on an appearance not too dissimilar to Bell, to which they gave the basic info, such as his Familia and age. She was about to close her booth for a late lunch break when a certain 14 year old boy strolled in.
"Cranel-kun!" The appointed boy felt himself shrink as one of the most sought-after Advisor called his name. "Y... You're alright."
"Y - Yeah," he struggled to not cower within his own shadow. There was pressure emitting from all directions, but most of all, from the [Half-Elf] before him. "G-G-Good afternoon, Tulle-s-san..."
A menacing smile tugged at her lips as she fought her reflex to correct him. "The Loki Familia was asking about you." The [Half-Elf] leaned over the counter, "Is there anything—anything at all that you want to share with your Advisor, Bell Cranel-san?"
"Y - Yes!" Almost as easily as he breathed, he fell into a rigid salute.
And so, he told her...
...
"YOU DEFEATED A MINOTA—" Both her hands went to her mouth, unconsciously catching her glasses before they could fall from the crest of her nose. She scanned the busy lobby, realizing the damage was already done, never mind the fact she frightened the rabbi—Bell before her. I really needed to stop comparin... Off topic! Back to Bell! "Bell-kun, come with me," she commanded, gravely, even as she dragged him by the arm.
"Cranel-kun, you're still level 1, right?
Still startled and not completely realizing the weight of his actions, he nodded his head. "Kami-sama even updated my Status a few days ago."
She sighed. He said that as if it was natural. And, it wasn't as if she could just ask about his Status without a warrant, a good reason or going against her morals. Glancing over the fidgeting boy, she fought another sigh. If she asked, it was more than likely that'd he spill his Stats, Magics and Skills. However, she wouldn't forgive herself if she abused his innocence in such a manner.
"Hestia-sama saw nothing strange about your Status?"
Again, he nodded.
"I see..." She wouldn't push the subject any further. "Well," her smile did little to mask her menacing aura, "in any case, private study, which you missed nearly a week of, starts now." He blanched, entering the room after her.
...
...
"Anyway, I'm glad that these teachings did help you... even if..." If she didn't know better, she'd think he already had, in some shape or form, the skill [Luck], which only served to hide her more dimmer memories and thoughts.
The boy beamed, "Really though, thank you, Tull—"
"Ei-na-san." She lightly flicked his forehead with her teaching stick, "We've been through this." Bending at her knees, she lowered herself to his sudden slouch. Her piercing green eyes met his shining rubies before she continued with a smile, "The bond between an adventurer and adviser is nothing short of friendship," no matter what her coworkers said or what her past experiences tried to teach her.
His fearful glance confused her as she thought she wasn't actively flaring any of her [108 Ways to Scare Adventurers]. "But, uh," he turned down to his fidgeting hands, "aren't you still calling me 'Cranel-kun?'" Perhaps... her coworkers have been getting to her. Nonetheless, she giggled at her fault.
She struck a hand out with a gentle smile, "Your welcome, Bell-kun." His warm hands met her gloved one. "I'm just glad that you're safe." She couldn't help the 'Nee-san' within her and added a reprimand, "And you shouldn't go to Floor 5 alone, ok?"
He shook his head up and down as he did her hands, "Yes! Thank you again, Eina-san!" She withheld the urge to ruffle his hair at his innocence. Then, after a moment of silence, his face went neon red and as if to hide it from her, he moved his head downwards as his body become flustered and fidgety. "But uh.. about Aiz-san..."
More like a little brother by the second! That fact only added to her teasing grin, "Ooh?" The brown-haired woman leaned onto his desk, "You fell in love with Wallenstein-san, the girl who saved you?" If the rumors were right, she was the one who helped him, even went as far as to carry him out of the dungeon.
The brown-haired woman made a mental note to thank her.
His head beamed upward, "Yes-" only to shoot back down in embarrassment at his unmanly enthusiasm.
She pondered whether she should continue teasing him rather than the facts she knew of famous adventurer, Aiz Wallenstein. "Hm." She would be a kind 'Nee-san' this time and relented with standard information, "Loki Familia. Currently Level 5. Said to be one of the strongest swordsmen in Orario and given the title [Sword Princess] by the Gods."
"Even I know that." His tone was awfully less excitable, as if he decided it would be best to give up. "I meant... Like, things she likes to do, her favorite foods and..." He dragged off.
She decided to throw him a bone while keeping the snickering in her throat, "Whether she has a special someone?" She lifted a gloved hand to her mouth, hiding the trembling of her lips, just in case he looked up. This was a sensitive topic after all! Can't have him feel too embarrassed before she teased him to the max!
"E-Exactly!" He rose from his chair suddenly. His gaze determined once more but his face more blushed than ever.
He took the bait~ She was thankful for the hand over mouth but hoped he didn't see her trembling shoulders. She really was trying her best to hold out. Bell's earnest responses were far too much!
"I can't say I've heard anything like before..."
"Really?"
The hand covering her mouth pushed her glasses up, "But realistically, you don't have any chances." His suddenly sad expression made her feel as if she kicked a puppy. However, it was best to face reality before it kicked his teeth out...
"Pfft!"
She couldn't help it.
...
She walked him to the valis center to trade his monster shards in. "Thanks again... I'll be going now." However, she couldn't stand seeing his disappointed and tired figure any longer, so she tried to cheer him up. He was probably just going through some teenage boy phase. He'd grow out of it like everyone else.
At least, she hoped. He was rather naïve for his age.
"Bell-kun." She waited for him to turn towards him, "Girls like strong guys who can protect them, y'know? So, work harder and get stronger... well, you never know..."
His expression lit up, having had caught her hint, "Yeah!" He ran towards the exit with newly-found confidence, "Thank you, Eina-san! I love youuuu!"
She could already feel the gazes and the not-so quiet giggles and whispers as she held her cheek, wryly, "Maybe, I was a little too nice..."
Eina-san's advice aligns with my grandfather's! Because it did, he couldn't help but recall his memories with his dead grandfather. It reintroduced his purpose and conviction.
The dragon in his arm snorted. It wasn't all too different from his previous host's own, never mind their honest personalities. Speaking of "never mind," the ruins around them were empty. It would be best to talk to Bell now, where his surprise and his "newness" to him would show.
[Boy.]
Mid-skip, Bell's surprise caused him to fall on his face. He lifted his upper body off the ground and inspected his left hand, where there was a glowing orb, "D- D-Dragon-sama!"
[Hoh? Most people would've thought I was a figment of imagination at the time.]
The young boy shook his head furiously, "I wanted to thank you but didn't know how.. to call you?"
[Y- You're welcome. We'll talk about that. You can talk with me mentally—thoughts meant for me will automatically be sent to my mind and vice versa. Let's practice now.]
"Oka—"
Ddraig growled.
S-Sorry!
And so, Ddraig gave him the rundown of the basics to the [Boosted Gear], hoping Bell would use his powers wisely rather than greedily. Unconsciously, Bell continued his way towards the church.
Before they knew it, Bell was before the neglected church's main entrance. Apparently, the dragon was tired and was off to sleep, so he wished the ancient being good night—to which the dragon snorted at, what that meant he had no idea—and made his way towards the basement, "Kami-sama, I'm home!"
"Muuu!" A wild Goddess attacked him with the move, [Wrap], by slamming into him and entrapping his waist with her arms, "Welcome home, Bell-kun! You're home early- you're not still hurting, are you?!"
He helped her down with a weak laugh, "No, I'm okay."
"Giiiii," she narrowed her gaze.
"R-Really." His words still didn't stop her from making sure as she made her rounds around him. When done, he got onto one knee and looked up to his Goddess to reinforce the fact he wouldn't lie, "I couldn't lay down any longer; else I'd lose my mind! I can't go into the dungeon, so I went to go see my Advisor and learned new things since I missed the sessions... Kami-sama shouldn't be the only one to work, after all..."
Hestia beamed, "That's how I felt before coming here. But, no longer, no more with Bell! And, I don't mind working hard, Bell-kun!" She moved just shy of his line of sight, "Look at the feast I brought home! I was in the middle of preparing then Bell-kun came... but ta da!"
There was a steaming piece of meat in the middle of being sliced, twin gold stalks of bread and mash potatoes dripping with gravy on their only table. They looked all about their combined pay grade, individually—never mind together. "Kami-sama, you aren't wasting the valis the [Loki Familia] gave us?"
"No, I just..." She played with her hair absentmindedly, "With me being useless and poor, I couldn't express how thankful I am. I wanted to treat you, more so since you got hurt!"
"K-Kami-sama..." Hestia turned to his teary gaze and couldn't help but flung herself at her love once more. "K-Kami-sama!"
"Let's have a fancy dinner (date)!"
...
She tore into the meat with gusto and spoke unabashedly with her mouth full, "Have you learned anything new about the [Boosted Gear]?"
"Oh! I never told you about the Dragon inside!" Hestia choked but Bell noticed not as he praised it almost as as he did her sometimes, "He gave me this power, y'know? Told me how to use and allowed me to kill the Minotaur! And—"
Blah BLaH BLAH
"—Bell-kun!"
"Y-Yes?"
The mini Goddess racked her mind for something to distract him.
Huh...
...She has heard a lot about Ddraig while in Heaven once she really thought about it. She was more surprised that she remembered if anything. As a Goddess, time flew by.
"Are you sure we can trust it?"
He blinked, "Um." He glanced to his left arm in unsureness. He thought he was a good judge of character. "I want to."
"Mh." Her gaze lingered on his arm before she continued, "if you say so." Suddenly, she stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth, "Just don't forget your reason to adventure—or me!"
Ddraig had told him something similar.
"Is- Is this power really dangerous, Kami-sama?"
"It really depends on you, Bell-kun... This isn't something you can show off to anyone yet." His face, revealing all his thoughts, caused her own to soften. She pulled her seat beside him to pull his head into her bosom, "You'll be okay, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you." A God's promise wasn't one to be broken after all. "So, don't worry about it! Like I already told you!"
"Ahhn!" He couldn't help the content sigh that left his lips as he stretched his muscles. Killing monsters left and right was as exhilarating as ever! It felt nice to use his muscles. Farm work had always kept him active. Becoming an adventurer was no less demanding. Grandpa did say I have a hard time sitting still... Then, he heard cracks and trembling rocks from behind him.
He watched monsters, huddled like babies in the womb, fall to the floor. There were six of kobolds, otherwise the Noob Crushing Pack.
As with the three kobolds from a week ago, he was alone.
Nonetheless, his thoughts were only of the blond girl whose soft thighs graced his face, Eina's advice and Hestia's promise.
He wouldn't let them down. The gauntlet on his left shined brighter with his conviction.
One day...
[Boost!]
He shot forward.
Pulling his left elbow in, he hammered a fisted claw into the snout of the closest mob, crushing its head into the ground with his boosted strength and halted momentum. The wolf-like creature behind its brother lunged forward—only for its throat to be sliced with the knife on his dominant hand. Following that, Bell dodged with a sidestep and slammed a spiked elbow into its chest. Jumping back, further than he intended, he thought quickly in the air. His sudden realization that he had a magic skill made him land awkwardly. The last four monsters were quick to pursue, hastening with snarls in response to his slip-up.
Taking a deep breath in, he punched a red ball of destruction which exploded out towards the monsters with a command, "Dragon Shot!" Before it shattered the wall, he heard the two monsters he killed vaporize into dust. They had taken the devastation directly.
There was but two left.
Easy... Overconfidence is bad like Eina-san said...
But, he couldn't help it.
[Boost!]
His grin widened as he lunged.
Without Ddraig guiding him and focusing the gathered Boost into separate portions within his body, Bell realized not that he was nearly twice as fast as he was normally—never mind the boost in his stats from his Status Update.
"Oof!"
And so, it was no surprise that he slammed into the wall not too far behind them, only managing to kill one of them while shattering his beginner's knife in the process.
[Behind.]
His armor claw slashed outwardly as he half-recovered, half-pushed off from the wall with his right hand. He caught the lone Kobold by its arm, failing to kill it in one move like he had done with the others. However, the white-haired boy didn't let that stop him as he gave the stunned kobold a finishing blow.
He could only groan slightly, more hurt from his own mistake than anything else.
[You keep "boosting" your agility and strength, unconsciously. Think smart, not power-hungry.]
There's no point in boosting anything else though...
[While "perception" isn't a stat, you can boost that "concept" within you to help deal with the speed increase, etcetera.] The dragon wished he could facepalm as the boy finally realized he could boost more than just his stats. The description Bell's status showed for Boost was laughable at best. Ignoring the other questions and thoughts that brought up, he continued onto another frame of mind, [We're done with the one-shot exercise. Why don't you eat that lunch that girl gave you before we move on?]
His host only blushed at the memory, pulling the bento-box from his adventuring bag.
The figure in the shadows followed.
: Status :
Bell Cranel - Lv. 1
Str: H-120 » H-140
End: I-42 » I-49
Dex: H-139 » H-154
Agi: G-227 » G-268
Mag: I-21 » I-27
DrE: H-125 » H-132
Magic(s) -
DragonShot » (Command) Mana-infused Dragon Energy is compressed into an orb of devastation
Skill(s) -
[SACRED GEAR]: [Longinus : GODKILLER] Evolve depending on user's emotions
[Boosted Gear]: Houses the spirits of the Red Dragon Emperor
{"Age of Heroes (Second-Coming)"}
Status: G-220 » G-222
1st Liberation » Gains the skills of a lesser Welsh red dragon
Skill(s)
Passive(s):
Lesser Affinity » Attracts the heart of the opposite gender and attention of the strong
Dragon Energy » Allows for the generation and use of dragon energy (Stat = DrE)
(DrE) Active(s):
Boost » Doubles all the user's base stats/power every 10 secs
Explosion » Greatly empowers user with Dragon Energy for a short moment of time
Reset » Boosted energy is safely drained when significantly damaged or exhausted
"Kami-sama..." His stats jumped an incredible amount! His highest one, Agi, climbed 31 numbers, even! "Kami-sama!" Embracing his tiny Goddess, he swung her around with joyous laughter, to which she replied similarly.
"B-B-Bell!" she laughed with a growing blush.
While she still wasn't over his stupid affinity skill thing, his reaction to his growth more than made up for it. Making a mental note to ask her friends about their familia stat growth, she hid her hesitation and serious thoughts. Hopefully, he wasn't growing too irregularly.
Like any good parent, she'd only be encouraging.
He set her down before he froze. "Bell-kun?"
"I was supposed to go meet someone at a pub!" He cried out suddenly, gathering his more proper public clothing.
No wonder my Bell-senses were so alarmed!
"Meet who?"
"Meet— I forgot to get her name!"
"A girl, huh?" She went to her closet and pull out her light coat. "Well, I guess you can go eat your dinner by yourself!" Betrayal laced in her voice. She ran off.
Out the church doors, she didn't see him follow. That only caused her to speed up and trek onward to her hiding spot.
...
She didn't see him until the next afternoon. It wasn't because she didn't return but because he didn't.
While it was embarrassing, he continue sprinting down the crowded roads. Miach, the only friend he knew Hestia had, hasn't seen her. Neither has any of the stalls, sadly.
He bumped into a random person. However, before they could say anything, he apologize, "Sorry, looking for my Goddess!" Then, he took off. He was eternally thankful when they didn't give chase or yell at him. Yet, their gaze was potent and made him shiver...
Soon, he was out of breath with hands to his knees.
He couldn't find his Goddess.
He couldn't.
He— He was tired. He had just come from the dungeon, ran home and forgot that he meant to go to the pub and bring his working Goddess some dinner.
The guilt welled up within him. Tears watered his bright eyes. He couldn't understand what he did wrong but it didn't change the fact that he did do something.
[Boy—]
A familiar feminine voice called out to him, "You're that adventurer!"
Her grin was contagious but only for a moment as he wiped at his eyes, "Y-Yeah." His inner self wanted to smack his nervous self at his flustered answer.
"Oh, excuse me! I never introduced myself." She held the sides of her long skirt out and gave a small bow, "My name is Syr Flover."
He bowed back, "I'm Bell Cranel."
Her eyes sparkled at his words. "Well, let me show you in!" Her quick departure only had one way to respond: with him following.
I.. I am hungry...
The silver-haired girl sat him down to one end of the room, where he then met the owner, Mama Mia. "Hoh? You're Syr's new friend, huh?" As if to look at him better, she got a closer look, "Aren't ya pretty cute for an adventurer?" She reminded him too much of an aunt. He couldn't help but say, albeit politely still, "Please leave me alone."
She only laughed him off and set a plate filled to the brim with food, seemingly left him alone. At which, he recalled the amount he earned and the prices of the food before on the large menu behind the almost equally large woman. So far, he's used 300 valis of the 5320 he earned...
In the corner of his eye, he spied Syr whisper something to the buff owner from the corner of his eyes—before said owner slammed a full bowl with arms as thick as the Minotaur that nearly killed him. "Here's the house special!" His choking response, as before, was laughed at then the large woman trotted over to other hearty customers.
Syr filled in after Mia's absence, "Are you having fun?"
His ruby eyes glanced to the menu behind her—he had lost another 720 valis. "I'm.. a bit overwhelmed..." he allowed himself to say.
The coy girl tried to hide her giggle behind hand, while not sounding apologetic at all, "Sorry." She tilted her head at the perfect cute angle, "Now, I'm sure I'll be paid a lot tonight!"
She reminded him of a lazy neighbor from his village. That thought took away his nervousness around a cute girl as he deadpanned with a "I'm happy for you." Her giggles only increased in fervor at that.
Syr calmed herself before gesturing out at all other laughing customers, "Isn't it amazing how many different people gather here?" His gaze followed hers. "When there's so many people, there's so much to learn... I can't help but get excited." Her voice was genuine with awe and passion. "I love meeting new people— I get fired up!"
He could respect her drive and passion—but he was still salty with her. "That's a pretty amazing thing to say..."
Suddenly, she turned towards him, causing him to swallow his food quickly, "You're pretty new?"
"Y-Yeah." Her grin widened as she passed a cup.
As he drank, she continued, "You seem—different. I don't know what it is, but I want t—"
"Nya!" A feminine voice cried from the entrance, "The customers with reservations have arrived."
A group of adventurers walked strolled in. They consisted of what appeared to be two [Elfs], twin [Amazonesses], a [Dwarf], a [Werewolf], a [Pallum], a God, and finally... His breath hitched in his throat... There she is...
The fair [Sword Princess] entered last.
.
|:[Dragon x Drive]:|
.
Aes: "...I- uh, I actually had forgotten that Issei fought Loki."
I wish I was kidding, but thanks for pointing that out. There's so much I can do with that and there's so much of you who wait eagerly for me to write it out. Here's to not disappointing!
And then, there was a mistake in the statuses of last chapter, which no one decided to comment on. I'm only embarrassed because it took me months to two and a half years to see. Geez... I also changed the descriptions a bunch when compared to the previous chapters. It's much cleaner now, I think.
For now, I'll be sticking to Danmachi's plot with little twists here and there.
I hope it was of decent standards and that y'all enjoyed. I doubled the word count with this chapter to make up for- my unexplained leave.
Edits:
Reviews:
Bell's Endurance not being higher: He's not fully healed, lol. I'm not sure if it works like that (probably not) but I wrote it in and I'm bound to contradict myself later. There's also the fact that Bell doesn't see the need to be "tankier" yet.
Humor: Verbally, I think I'm funny (half of my friends may or may not agree *koff). Written, throw me a friggin' bone. Honestly, I was surprised it was funny because I had simply thought it as the natural response of Hestia. Ah, just leave it to me analytical when I shouldn't and vice versa. Although, it made me smile to read over it, ngl, more so with the fact I was trying so hard to make Hestia- well, Hestia-like.
...Things I wasn't sure how to include in the current story/Explanations of "stuff" below for those who are curious...
I'll expand further in future chapters when these are relevant (if possible).
Do note there are other "stats" that aren't stated or apparent on the Status. Sometimes, it takes a skill to see them as shown by the different status changes in the first two chapters. DrE appearing after the [Boosted Gear] was unlocked. Another example, the skill, Luck, giving the Luck stat. However, unlike Luck, DrE was shown as "locked" due to it still growing, just unusable. Both can still be affected my equipment or spells.
Magics and Skills are often oddly worded in statuses. Sometimes, they're downright misleading.
Types of Magics:
(Command) Invoked with a few words (often the spell's name)—often the weakest but it's power relies on versatility and quick uses at low costs rather than sheer range and raw power (usually)
(Chant) Invoked with a long chant—often the strongest and most common of Magics
(Voluntary) Invoked with a trained thought or instinctively (like a passive that consumes mana)—rarest of the three magics
Example:
A Command Healing Magic tends to cure specific poisons individually.
A Chant Healing Magic tends to recover wounds and/or cure minor aliments—at higher levels (longer chant often times), it'll heal more severe wounds and/or bigger groups.
A Voluntary Healing Magic tends to be a passive "Healing Factor" or an active boost to the End stat with a minor to high healing regeneration.
Speaking of Chant magic... I'll probably change Rivera's as soon as I find a chant or make one of my own. It's far too short to heal someone to the degree it did, imo.
Boosting: (SPOILERS)
Boosts doubles the concept of thought. Whether it be the strength of something, amount of something or whatever the host can imagine, it'll double. However, due to Bell's wish to be stronger while faster, he's unconsciously assumed it only applied to his stats. Also, unconsciously, he learned to portion the "boosts" into separate areas, a more advance function of "Boost" usually handled by Ddraig initially as his host learns to use the [Sacred Gear].
This is seen as Bell's fight with the Minotaur. Ddraig boosted his DrE pool and Agi. No End increase would've saved him... that and the dragon expected him to run. The second instance is when Bell raised his total Agility to x2 its base rather than the expected x4 (1x2x2) with the second Boost in this chapter as he boosts the exilia from his various encounters and his strength. The former is something Ddraig does for Bell while the latter is subconsciously done by Bell, equating Str to the power he thinks he needs to achieve his goals.
This is only possible due to the adapted shard from [Divine Dividing] hidden within the [Boosted Gear].
"Thank you for waiting!"
[Word: 6,154]