The dungeon walls sped by as he ran at full tilt, his wail of terror echoing only to be drowned out by a beastical roar.

A massive black shape rushed after him, its horns glowing in the low light, a predator seeking to claim its prey. The ground swirled with dust and dirt as they reached the end of the path, a dead end.

'No no no." The white haired, red eyed boy chanted in his head, body shaking in terror.

'I was supposed to meet girls!'

He thought as he was backed up against the caverns wall, the short dagger still in hand. Bumping the rock and stone wall his hands lifted to protect his face, eyes never leaving the haughty figure slowly coming at him.

'No! I won't die like this!'

"It's do or die!" The boy shouted, body becoming still, tension building up in his resolute stance.

He let out an animalistic roar and rushed head on against his foe, his blade flashing out as he struck from every angle he could. His opponent lashed out, missing his sweeping blow by an inch, it too roared it's battlecry as the two traded blows. The boy was a whirlwind of movement, jumping and twisting to find openings he could strike.

It was not to be, the lone level one crimson eyes kid was knocked hard into the wall with a crash, his armor, a thin steel chest plate broken under the force.

He lay there, body slumped against the wall staring in anger at the towering Minotaur as it lowered its head to charge and impale the boy.

"ROAR"

It charged.

But just as it was about to finish off the boy it stopped instantly, a series of flashes cutting through its large body. In a gory spray of blood the Minotuar died with a final cry.

Standing over the fallen fiend was a beautiful pale blonde haired girl, a blank look on her angelic face. Swinging the rapier in an arc, any blood and matter flung from her blade.

"Are you alright." She asked, stepping towards the downed white haired boy.

"Than-kk thank you for the save, miss." The boy sputtered out as he struggled to stand, leaning heavily against the dungeons wall.

He offered the girl a small smile, fixated on her otherworldly beauty.

'She's beautiful!' He thought, taking in her presence.

"I must apologize, our family failed to finish this monster and you nearly paid the price." She said to him, taking his arm to help steady him.

"You were doing well against the Minotuar though. I can see you stood your ground, you must be an experienced level one to have done so well!" She said I praise, while reaching to a bag slung over her shoulder producing a single blue vial, a health potion.

Handing him the glass with a pointed look the boy hesitated for only a second before he nodded and took the vial and in a gulp drained the glass handing it back to the beautiful girl.

"Thank you miss…" he started

"Ais Wallenstein." She responded.

"Thank you for the potion and again for killing that monster, I thought I was a goner for sure!" He chuckled.

"I'm Bell, Bell Cranel, it's nice to meet you miss Ais." Bell said as he bowed forward respectfully to the girl.

She gave a small smile, a light blush, unnoticed in the dungeon dim graced her cheeks.

"This was my first time to the fifth floor, actually I became an adventurer a month full month ago!" He tells her as they walk slowly back down the hall from where they had come, Ais staying at his side.

"Only a month Bell? It's amazing you were able to stay alive." She said quietly looking at Bell from the side.

"Grandfather always said you had to stand your ground if you are backed into a corner, do or die he said." Cranel responded shrugging his shoulders, staring at the older girl in wonder, she destroyed the beast quicker than he could follow.

Meet a girl in the dungeon, go on adventures, live Bell!!

He could hear his grandfather's booming voice

In his head.

At the end of the hall the path diverged left and right.

"I need to get back to my companions, here." She said before reaching i to a pocket and revealing a large half hand sized magical stone.

"Please take this, it was the Minotuar's. It was our fault, please use it to buy a new weapon, and armor." She said stalling his excuses.

He could see she was firm on it so didn't argue and thanked her instead.

"I will miss Ais, thank you again." He gave her a smile full of teeth, his warm red eyes conveying sincerity.

"Goodbye Bell." She said finally, chest fluttering slightly.

'Am I sick?' She thought, as she turned from the boy and took off at a full run.

'He kinda looks like a Rabbit..'

Sitting in front of me, leaning with hands clasped on the desk was a brown haired half elf woman, my guild advisor; miss Eina Tulle.

"Bell you came nearly running here covered in blood! I was so worried you had been hurt, and now you tell me you went to the 5th floor against my advice!" Her tone scathing as she concluded her rant.

"I-I'm sorry! It won't happen again!!" I reply timidly, though I knew I would break that promise sooner or later.

Eina was a really good adviser and had been more than generous with me, I felt kinda bad I had worried her.

Her eyes softened and her shoulders relaxed as she sat back down into her seat, leaning back with arms crossed under her chest.

"Just be careful Bell. Now you said an adventurer saved you?" She prompted.

"Ah! Yes! A miss Ais Wallenstein showed up in time to finish off the Minotuar, it had escaped from their party on the lower floors." I said, summing up my experience that day. I pulled out my pouch of stones and showed her the magical stone she had given me.

I then rescue down into my bag and showed her the drop items I had recovered, a single horn, and a swath of dark hide.

"I went back and found these while searching for pack"

I had dropped my pack at some point with my mad fight against the beast, luckily, it just so happened to be strewn across the dead end corridor that we had fought in, that's when I found these items.

"Oh Bell! That stone alone is worth two of those pouches full! It was very responsible of her to do that, and kind." She muttered to herself

We spoke a bit more, on what other monsters resided on the second floor, and who Ais Wallenstein actually was. The sword princess who was a level 5 from the Loki family!

"Wow.." I let out a sigh, she was so far out of my league.. I was leaving the guild and walking home.

Then my resolve hardened

'I am going to become strong enough to stand by her side!'

One day I would be equal and worth her attention. But until then I needed to work hard and become the best I can.

At that moment I was passing what looked like a pretty popular pub, from the amount of noise and warmth coming from the building.

'Why not get some food? Then I could bring the Goddess some as well! She wouldn't be off work yet anyhow.'

I made my way up the stone steps and entered through its wooden double door, the aroma of food and drink hit me in the face and my mouth began to water.

I found an open spot at the far end of the bar, a pretty girl in a green and white maid outfit smiled brightly at me, her cat ears twitching as she called out over the noise to me.

"Whatcha gonna have' huh?"

"Cider please, and could I have a menu as well?" I ask the cute girl with a smile.

She blushed cutely and rushed to a barrel on the wall with a mug in hand, bringing it back up to me I found the mug was almost covered in frost it was so cold.

"Thanks! Here ya go, I'm Anya I'll be back soon okay?" She tells me, handing over a menu with a toothy smile, brown tail swishing back and forth.

I took my time looking throughout the menu, settling on a dish of some type of meat stew.

Anya came back soon enough to take my order across the bar asking me if I was ready for another drink.

"Lemme know when ya want another okay?"

I looked down at my now empty mug.

'Did I really drink it all so soon?' I mused telling her I'd like another as I waited for my food.

I took that time to pull out a small journal and read a few pages.

For every adventure you go on know that it is to be experienced fully. Never let your guard down, never let yourself forget that the dungeon has one goal and that goal is to kill you.

I could almost hear grandpa's words again. He had given this journal to study with on my last birthday so that I might become not just strong but a smart adventurer one day. The journal had tons of knowledge of some unknown adventurer from the past, from the insignia on the inside cover I thought it was of the Zeus family.

But I never got around to asking what gramps was doing with a journal from an extinct familia.

I turned to my last page I had book marked and began memorizing the diagrams. It was a series of pages dedicated to specific katas for the use of a sword, the spear, and another for daggers.

I found that after my experience in the dungeon today I would no longer be using the dagger prominently. It almost got me killed, especially since I kept trying the Katas my body wanted to use for a sword!

Gramps used to always do exercises with me before we worked the fields, sets of movements to stretch and often times with a loe in hand. When I was younger I didn't realize what he had been doing.

Now though? I knew what they were, they were written in diagram form in front of my eyes. I had been dedicating my time to learn the more advanced forms since gramps had passed away six months ago.

I was cut from my thoughts as a massive bowl was set in front of me another mug of cold cider beside it.

I fave Anya a huge smile and a thank you, before diving into the delightful meal.

It was heavenly! The meat was perfectly spiced and the vegetables soft and savory in the broth. I was on a cloud floating towards Tenkai, the gods could take me!

I wolfed down every scrap before killing the third mug of cider when Anya returned a big smile on her face.

"It was amazing! Compliments to the chef! Could I have another as a to-go order and the check? My Goddess would love to have this to try when she returns home!" I say enthusiastically giving the pretty cat girl the biggest smile I could.

" Right away sweetie!" She says pulling out a notebook from her smock and writing down the price handing it to me.

Not bothering being concerned I glanced and took out the correct amount and hefty tip for the girls as a thank you for the amazing service and she talked me into one last drink.

Turning around I hear a ruckus, a group of adventures led by a petite red haired woman entered the pub.

"Oh its the Loki Family, they are early."Anya said from behind me, her brow furrowed and ears twitching.

We watched as they began to order and drink. A Pallum sat next to a dwarf and beside him an elf, to her left was the Goddess I know knew, and Ais was there with a few others beside her including a loud werewolf.

"Ais! Tell us again about the tomato boy!"

His howling laughter grated my nerves.

Ais turned to face him, blandly taking a sip before speaking.

"No. You are exaggerating the story as it is. He was a brave level one that we nearly got killed." Her tone didn't give anything away as she spoke.

"Oh come on! He is some weakling punk, not even bothering to stay with you, probably couldn't even keep up, bah what a loser." The Wolfman scoffed, I could feel my face turning red from embarrassment, I wouldn't have been able to keep up.

"Bete, you are wrong." Ais voice cut across the tavern. Her voice was soft as she said, "You are calling me a liar...it's unattractive." She turned to look at the Goddess as if confirming that was the right thing to say.

The wolfman's face fell and turned bright red as he sputtered, but Ais refused to look at him.

"HA, Ais said you were butt ugly!" The Goddess laughed drunkenly at the girls side.

"No she didn't!" The Wolf cried falling from his chair.

At this point I got up quietly and left, a smile on my face.

'Ais Wallenstein huh? I'm going to be worthy of you, I swear it' I say to myself as I look up into the sky, seeing a falling star.

I made my way through the city's nightlife, skirting the red light district, my face on fire after the last time I had mistakenly walked willing through. So many beautiful women! But I knew that it wasn't love but compensation they wanted so tried to stay away.

I made it home to the abandoned church I shared with my Goddess Hestia of the Hearth. She was newer to the Lower plain, penniless and recently kicked out of her friend's manor, the Goddess of the smithy, Hepheastus.

A month prior she had overheard me saying I was looking for a Familia to join and quickly allowed me join hers, as her sole member I was given the title of Captain automatically and that came with a lot responsibilities. The Goddess helped support us by working while I grinded in the dungeon and made us financially stable. Already after a month I have made sure we could start renovations of our home, that way we could bring in new recruits.

Opening the secret passage behind the alter, I descended into our hidden hole, it was small but comfortable, probably used as a cellar then turned into a small living flat for a priest years later, but who knew?

"Goddess I am home!" I call out, setting the box of food carefully on the kitchen table, as I moved towards a chest that held my belongings. Taking a moment to undo the fitting for my grieves, and gauntlets I placed them inside the plain cheap wooden plank chest.

I selected my night wear and turned to head to the bathroom when I was tackled nearly to the ground as a white and black blur hit me.

"BELL!" My Goddess wailed tears falling from her eyes.

"You almost DIED! Oh no, I was so worried! The guild sent a letter telling me what happened! Why didn't you come straight to me? Are you okay? No one hurts my love bunny!" She blundered into my chest as her tears dried up she got that strange look in her eye.

Love bug?

I wasn't given time to ponder as she took my attention away from those thoughts.

"Oh Bell! You brought me dinner? Oh you are such a gentleman!" She cooed skipping to the table and sat down to eat, that smug beautiful smile on her face.

Her huge rack settled itself on to the table as she leaned over.

'Bad Bell! You can't look at Goddess like that!' I chastised myself and shuffled to the bathroom with my head down and face bright red.

"Bell! Lemne update your status, okay?" Hestia asked as we ate breakfast the next morning. I was glad she wasn't upset anymore, after our conversation and me telling her of what happened in full detail she had gotten very quiet and had a scowl on her face and demanded I sleep in the bed with her in compensation.

I freaked out and made as many excuses as I could while rushing out of the bedroom and settled on the couch.

"Of course Goddess" I replied finished my porridge and fruit.

A few minutes later I lay on my stomach without a shirt, the goddess settled on butt to where I could feel her own, and her hands ran the length of my back as she began the updating process.

We haven't updated since the end of my first week.

Bell Cranel:

Age: 14

Alias:N/A

Strength: I-56 D601

Endurance:I43G399

Dexterity:I42E588

Agility: I70A903

Magic:I0I99

[Development ability]

Liaris Freese- Fast growth as long as feeling last. The stronger the feeling the faster the growth shall be.

Spirit of the Blessed- boosted growth, all magic learned will not require chant.

[Magic]

{Combat Spell}

FireBolt

{Healing spell}

Madeor

……"HUH!?" What the heck is going on?

"Goddess what does this mean?" I ask the catatonic deity curled up on my lap. I was too shaken to care that a beautiful big boobes goddess was nestling my lap.

"It means we keep this to ourselves Bell." Her tone was soft, her eyes pleading with me to understand.

"Of course, no one can know!" I say at once, if anyone did I would be hunted down.

'They would take my Bell from me.' The deity thought fearful.

"Okay Bell, I need to get to work, you go and get your new armor and perhaps a new dagger?" She suggests.

"I think It's time I pick up a sword, I'm going to go to the tower and to that shop Miss Eina told me about. " I tell her as I picked up my pack and strapped my lone dagger on my belt behind my back.

Walking towards the great tower that held the dungeon at bay and was the monument that all could see a half days ride outside of the city.

I took the elevator up and up until the correct floor showed on the marker, stepping off I found myself in an almost elaborate hall filled with shops and glass windows showing off wares from the Hephaestus familia.

I wandered unimpeded for a while just enjoying the displays and internally grimacing at the prices.

I suddenly find myself outside a quiet shop, Ah! This was the one Eina was talking about I think! Walking in I found an older man working the front, the bell alerting him of my presence I smiled and waved asking for Armor he shot questions my way and then directed me around the shop and told me to alert him if I needed any help.

Taking a moment to search the shelves nearest me I couldn't find anything I liked, so I kept moving. I found my way at the very back of the store, and then promptly tripped over a crate sitting on the floor.

Picking it up I went to a nearby bench and shifted through the contents.

It was a set of light armor! It looked like it would fit me perfectly and the price was only 9,900 valis for it all! Excited I picked it up and moved to go back out front, when a display caught my eye in the corner of that same dark area.

It was a set of swords. I set the box down and picked up the longer of the two.

It was a longsword, straight but thin in width, but it looked almost eastern. Unsheathing the blade I found it was fully straight and double sided. The blade held beautiful inscriptions down the length, and patterns on the edge of the blade, it was grey, so dark the inscriptions shown and the grey made the patterns standout as well.

I quickly took the second sword in hand and found it was similar but the blade was shorter and the tip looked like it had had been cut at an angle unlike the longer one which came to a tapered point.

I was entranced at their beautiful design when I looked down eyes finding the tag, dreading the prices.

To my surprise they were each 5000 valis! Looking over the stand I found a couple sets already there. Resolving to come back for them another time I picked up the singular set of swords and crate then headed to the counter to pay for my equipment. The man seemed surprised when I told him I wanted these weapons, and armor but he still rang me up and I was on my way.

Deciding to take the rest of the day to get used to my new equipment in the dungeon I set off with a smile on my lips.

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