Chapter 13 - Broken Heart

She couldn't stop worrying.

Eina was seated at her station with a frown as she efficiently scrawled on papers, a gnawing feeling plaguing her stomach. By chance, she had briefly overheard a group of adventurers mention an ambush for the dungeon earlier, and she could only think about Bell and his supporter. A supporter he had confirmed to be part of the Soma Familia, a Familia with an air of desperation for money. While she had initially been suspicious of Bell's supporter, her concerns had only worsened when she spoke to Loki about the Familia, discovering just how twisted its members' desires for Soma's alcohol really are...

However, their Familia was nearly all level ones, with the captain and vice-captains being the only level twos. Bell is a level two now, but that wasn't enough to damper her worries.

"Maybe I should see if anyone can help..."

"Eina!"

"Eh!?" The half-elf jumped in her seat and turned to find her coworker, Misha, looking outraged at her side. "Wh-What is it, Misha?"

The pink-haired woman pointed at the crowd around the notice board.

"How in the gods did your himbo level up in only a month!?"

Eina's cheeks blazed.

"M-My what-!?"

"Actually, no, more importantly-!" Misha kept going, grabbing the woman by her shoulders and shaking her. "Why did you use his baby-faced image instead of the sexy one!?"

"Misha!" Eina broke out of her hold, pushing her back. "W-We don't have an updated image of him yet, so I just used what we have right now!"

Her coworker paused, raising an eyebrow.

"But you could've just waited a day or two until we got it, right? It's not like you to impulsively push that fast for something small like this."

"W-Well..." Eina looked down in a fluster.

She couldn't just admit that she had broke professionalism out of concern that Bell's new... looks, together with his level-up, would result in the gods dropping everything to chase after him. It was one thing that he broke the Sword Princess's record, but with looks that'd make any god or goddess's heart skip a beat? She'd practically be presenting a juicy steak in front of them. Hell, some gods have chased after adventurers for even less than what Bell holds.

Yes, she'll have to update Bell's picture by the time the next Denatus comes, but she could at least give him some reprieve before every deity becomes aware of his... handsomeness.

However, she seemed to have been silent for too long as Misha noticed the redness in her cheeks, bringing an irritably smug look to her face.

"Oho? So that's it? Prudish Eina wants to enjoy monopolizing the looks of her favorite adventurer a little longer~."

She squeaked. "M-Misha! It's not like that!"

"Oh? It's not?" She made a mocking gesture of thought. "Then maybe I'll take him out for a spin myself if you're not interested?"

"MISHA!"

As the half-elf fumed and scolded her coworker in embarrassment, a blonde swordswoman entered the building in the middle of her rant, immediately noticing the commotion at the notice board.

They couldn't leave the bodies.

Bell knew as much as Lili that if they left the corpses of the Soma Familia behind, then it could be a trail that'd lead back to them. The odds were too high for other adventurers to find their remains and realize their deaths weren't from monsters. Reporting the situation to the guild was also out of the question. Even if they testified the truth in front of a deity, Lili's past crimes would most likely come out, and that would either immediately incarcerate her or result in her Familia getting their hands on her again. Perhaps he could report it anonymously, but that'd carry too many risks, as it'd guarantee an investigation that'd most likely end with Lill's Familia pointing in her direction and, in turn, his.

So, standing in front of Canoe's corpse, Bell wordlessly lifted his palm and activated his magic, his eyes dull in color.

*Fwoosh!*

White light briefly flared into existence as it erased the corpse out of it. When the light faded, not even a drop of blood was present on the ground, only scorched marks as dark as night.

He never thought he'd use his new magic in such a way. To destroy evidence of his own brutality...

Bell released a self-loathing sigh as he turned away from his work and glanced at Lili. His supporter was seated against the wall, eyes hollow and staring forward, completely catatonic. Her white cloak had been removed during the initial ransacking, revealing her tattered red and white shirt, skirt, and belt —the same clothing she had worn when she first bumped into him. To think that such a simple encounter would end up leading to this...

He shook his head. He has to keep moving, not recalling the past.

Bell went to the rest of the bodies and cremated them easily, burning all signs that a massacre had ever occurred in the first place. However, he didn't need to destroy the weapons or supplies from Lili's torn backpack lying around; he just stored everything in his inventory. He didn't care if she even noticed what he did. After all, they're in this together now… for better or for worse. He even used his Status Recovery to heal his wounds and clean himself up, erasing anything in his appearance that hinted that he had just been in a fight.

Afterward, he hesitantly approached his supporter, who didn't react as he crouched before her.

"Lili..."

She finally flinched, and while it hurt, he couldn't blame her. Even though he saved her, she had just witnessed him slaughter an entire party in cold blood. She had probably thought he'd never do anything like it, a sentiment he had believed as well...

"We should go. I don't think we're in any condition to keep going," He whispered.

She didn't move from her spot, her downward gaze refusing to look up at him.

Bell sighed, "There's a lot that we have to talk about, Lili, and if this Zanis person Canoe mentioned really is aware of us partying together, then you can't go back to your Familia home. When they realize Canoe's party is gone, they'll be looking to take it out on you. You know that, right?"

After a few seconds of silence, the pallum weakly nodded.

"You can stay with me until..." He hesitated. "Until we somehow resolve everything. My goddess Hestia and I live in an old church on West Main Street. It's not in the guild records since she doesn't officially own it on paper, so we won't have to worry about your Familia looking it up to find us. But we have to leave now, okay?"

Lili only nodded again.

"I..." Bell started reaching out to her, only to stop, pursing his lips. "Is it okay if I help you up, Lili?"

Another nod.

With slow and obvious moments, Bell gently helped Lili to her feet, one hand on her shoulder and the other lightly holding her hand. However, she started trembling in his arms, bringing a defeated gaze to him as he went to pull back-

*Grip!*

He paused, feeling the girl abruptly grip his hand harder than ever before. Not only that, but Lili leaned into him, practically smothering herself against him as she continued shaking.

She didn't say anything, but her actions made Bell's lips curl into the smallest smile.

"She still trusts me."

"...!?"

His relief was cut short as Bell sensed something suddenly appear not far in the direction of the path back, something stronger than him by a fair amount, even with his level up. His eyes sharpened as he abruptly pulled Lili into his arms, covering her mouth to muffle her abrupt cry of alarm as he leaped to the side. He landed and twirled behind one of the many stalagmite formations, huddling against it while firmly holding Lili against him, his arm around her waist and his hand over her mouth as she struggled.

"Shhhh..." The pallum stilled at the noise in her ear. "Someone's coming."

Bell tilted his head with minimal movements to peek at the scene. He waited, not hearing a single sound, yet knew someone or something was approaching.

And yet... even as he waited, even as he sensed the presence arriving right at the scorched area, he couldn't see it-

(!)ALARM

[Effect: Sacred Insight has activated]

Suddenly, the air distorted where Bell was looking, and he held his breath as a vaguely humanoid figure appeared in his vision. It was tall and lanky, wearing a long black cloak covering nearly every part of it, with only being unable to hide the metal claw-like gauntlets worn over its hands.

The figure was crouched down, closely examining the scorched marks spread across the ground, even running its covered hand along them.

Bell narrowed his eyes.

"The system hasn't identified it as a monster, so it must be a person, but why are they looking at the burnt ground like that?"

A drop of cold sweat trailed down his side.

"Can they tell what happened?"

The thought twisted his heart with concern. If this person realized that a massacre took place and that he was the cause of it...

Would the system make him kill them, too?

"Please don't find out."

If the figure noticed them now, then... he didn't know what would happen. He turned his head away, hiding against the stalagmites as he kept perfectly still. He couldn't keep looking anymore or risk being discovered by a stray glance. He could only pray that the figure didn't look behind their hiding place.

And as if to make matters worse, Bell felt an even stronger presence arrive in the area, making him tense. He didn't dare peek again, but compared to the previous presence, he could hear footsteps approaching the area this time. The newcomer's distant steps grew louder as they trailed through at a somewhat slow pace.

Then they stopped.

"..."

The sound of a sword being unsheathed was practically screeching in his ears.

"I know you're there."

Bell stopped breathing, lying frozen against his cover.

Was this it? The moment he became branded as a criminal? If they ended up having to fight... would the system make him...?

"Hm, so I was noticed."

He choked, nearly making a noise, as he heard what could only be the first presence's voice.

"I hadn't expected to find anyone alone and capable when I was investigating this floor, but your timing is good, Sword Princess."

...Sword Princess?

~{Thirty Minutes Earlier}~

Unbelievable.

It can't... She can't believe it.

Ais blankly stared at the sheet of parchment posted on one of the notice boards within the guild, deaf to the excited commotion around her. The detailed sketch of the innocent-looking boy mocked her, the same boy she had only been able to catch glimpses of before disappearing every time. The boy who had made her change her usual dungeon habits to include searching around the fifth and sixth floors more often, just so she could find any hint of him.

And yet, he had been adventuring even further beyond, accomplishing something that every adventurer could only dream of.

~Hestia Familia~

Bell Cranel: LV 2

"How...?"

Her record... He broke her record of one year by eleven months, achieving the impossible in just one. And the event he reported as causing it? Surviving a monster party down on the ninth floor.

The ninth.

He had only been a novice, a rookie adventurer who had been in the dungeon for only two weeks when she had first found him in that mysterious room; she knew this thanks to public information the guild had. While being on the fifth floor after two weeks was impressive, Ais had assumed he had been diving lower than he should have been based on his lack of armor and slim body.

But to think, he had been going even deeper since then, not slowing down after what should've been a traumatizing event for most novice adventurers. And now... he leveled up, an adventurer from a Familia so unnotable and lacking members that she had only learned of it because he's from it.

Ais's stare was intense, her eyes focused and her breathing silent, as stormy clouds surrounded her, her thoughts confused and stirred.

She had wanted to find Bell to apologize for not saving him fast enough... but now?

She has to find out more about him, down to the smallest detail.

Ais numbly turned around and left the guild hall, passing by a half-elf angrily scolding her colleague. She needed to distract herself.

Some time in the dungeon should do... It's always helped her before.

And so, the Sword Princess dealt with her troubles the best way she knew, by slaughtering every monster she encountered. She cut them down mercilessly, even chasing down a few on the upper floors with an intensity that many would call terrifying. Questions swarmed her mind as she spun a deadly dance, carving through everything floor by floor.

"When did he gain his magic?"

She slashed through three goblins.

"What keeps him going?"

She cut through multiple war shadows.

"Why is he able to go so far?"

She obliterated a group of killer ants.

"How did he get so strong so fast?"

Ais didn't realize how lost she was in her thoughts until she reached the eighth floor, noticing that the environment had become more expansive.

She sighed. Riveria had always told her not to get lost in her emotions when thinking about her problems...

Deciding to try toning it down, Ais sheathed her sword and walked the rest of the way to the ninth floor, not feeling any better in calming her frustrations. It was bad enough that she'd been unable to talk to Bell Cranel despite wishing to meet him, but now he suddenly managed to level up on his own?

If she had familiarized herself with him up to this point, she could've already gotten some clue behind his growth. It left a bitterness she absolutely didn't like.

And his magic... First, his teleportation, or at least what she had assumed was teleportation, confused her. There was no chant or visual effects; he had been standing there for a moment... and then he wasn't.

Then again, Riveria assumed that it could've been a magic item rather than the boy's own magic. After all, there hadn't been a chant, and it would be too outlandish for a relatively new adventurer like him to have two powerful spells in not even a whole month, even when considering his outstanding level-up.

And then there were his flames.

White... Or were they a darkish pink? There is a color for that… violet? In any case, his flames significantly contrast with the image of black flames burning deep inside her. If her flames rampage for rage and strength, then what do his burn for?

It... It wasn't for anything destructive, was it?

The thought of someone else experiencing anything like her tainted flames was like being stabbed in the stomach, the dagger then twisting itself violently. She hoped his flames were merely cosmetic rather than harboring something darker. And yet, she remembered just how... off they had felt, even when only looking at the brief remains of them yesterday. They had felt more unnatural than any fire she'd seen before. They had charred the dungeon itself to the point of blackening its surfaces, something she hadn't seen any other flame-based magic do before. It was just like the burnt floor and walls she was currently walking through-

"!?"

Abruptly stopping her stroll, Ais's eyes widened as she realized that this area of the ninth floor was different from the rest.

"These... These scorch marks."

It was like what she had seen on the fifth floor with Riveria!.

That's right... Bell Cranel had leveled up on the ninth floor, so it'd make sense that he'd come through here! He should be nearby- No... Now that he has leveled up, he should be even further. And if the dungeon hasn't healed this damage yet, he should be reasonably close, right? If she leaves now, then she could-

"..."

Her eyes sharpened as she unsheathed her sword, turning toward the broadest area of charred stone.

"I know you're there."

At first, no one responded to her statement. But she didn't move from her spot, resulting in someone humming.

"Hm, so I was noticed."

A black-cloaked figure materialized into place just ahead of her.

"I hadn't expected to find anyone alone and capable when investigating this floor, but your timing is good, Sword Princess."

Ais readied her blade in suspicion. "Do you need something from me?"

"It was by sheer coincidence that I encountered you here," The figure said, lightly bowing in submission. "But before I answer your question, I would like you to lower your sword. I have no intention of causing you any harm."

She narrowed her eyes, not moving from her stance.

"Who are you?"

"Just a humble mage, but would it make more sense to say that I have made contact with Lulune Louie in the past?"

Ais finally lowered her sword in surprise, remembering the chienthrope she had met during the viola attack in Rivera, the same attack where she had met the red-haired tamer.

Seeing her lower her guard, the figure rose.

"Ais Wallenstein, I have a quest for you."

Bell listened closely to the conversation between the apparent Sword Princess and the mysterious figure, making no sound and hoping that Lili would do the same in his arms. The girl hadn't moved an inch since being taken behind the stalagmite, but he'd worry about it when the danger passed. He couldn't risk moving, not even to peek at the fabled Sword Princess Eina had told him about. Any cause of noise could give away their position.

"There has been an irregular outbreak of monsters on the twenty-fourth floor. Several adventurers have already lost their lives. I would like for you to investigate, and more or less, suppress the situation. Of course, I will have your reward ready."

Bell's eyes widened. An outbreak on the twenty-fourth floor? But he hadn't seen any kind of notice in the guild. Isn't that something meant to be shared? Especially when people have already died from it!?

"As for the objective of the outbreak. I believe it has something to do with the pantry located within that floor. As a matter of fact, before, on the thirtieth floor... There was a phenomenon occurring similar to where we sent Hasharna."

"Hasharna? Phenomenon?"

"There is a high possibility that... the person with the jewel who attacked Rivera is involved."

"Jewel? Rivera... The town on the eighteenth floor? Attacked?"

"The tamer who used those violas?" Ais questioned.

Bell's blood turned cold.

"Violas...? Those are the monsters I found in the sewers! So the Loki Familia got my message then?"

"Indeed. I'm glad you understand the severity of the situation. Sword Princess. So I would be grateful if you lend your strength."

"...I understand."

"I am in your debt. If possible, I would like you to head over as soon as you can."

As the rest of the conversation concluded, his thoughts went rampant; so many questions and concerns plagued his mind.

Someone had used those monsters, the violas, to attack the town, Rivera, on the eighteenth floor? No, more than that... someone was controlling them? Taming them? And now they're on the twenty-fourth floor, causing an outbreak that's already killed multiple adventurers!?

...

He can't go.

Even though he's level two, it would be too soon for him to suddenly go that deep without prepared items or even a party. And he couldn't just leave Lili alone after what had just happened.

Bell slumped as the mysterious figure and the Sword Princess finished their conversation. The former vanished in apparent teleportation while the latter rushed deeper into the dungeon, leaving him alone with the still pallum in his arms.

Something was happening in Orario, something dangerous that posed a threat to the city itself, and while stronger adventurers were out combating the opposing forces, here he was, having to hide because of slaughtering malicious drunks.

It was frustrating—so frustrating, too frustrating. It was the furthest thing from the hero he wanted to be.

Bell could only release a tired sigh. His sharp eyes shifted to duller, colder ones as he pulled himself and Lili up, his hands moving to her shoulders.

"I'm sorry about that, Lili... If we got discovered there, it could've been bad." He apologized, looking down at the pallum's wilting head.

"..." Lili just leaned into his chest, making him blink a few times as he felt her small arms wrap around him, holding him as if for dear life.

The smallest light reflected in his softening eyes as he patted her head with his other arm and hugged her back. He caressed her chestnut hair, feeling oddly calm despite the horrible situation.

He frowned, finally accepting the rewards from the emergency quest he had pushed aside.

(!)QUEST REWARDS

[You've received the below rewards.]

Reward #1. Status Recovery

Reward #2. Stat Points +50

Reward #3. Skill: Bloodlust

"Another skill..."

He held off accepting the Status Recovery but obtained the stat points and new skill.

[Quest Rewards]

You have unlocked the skill [Bloodlust].

Bloodlust- Mana Cost 100. Using a strong energy, the selected target is put in a state of fear for 1 minute, lowering their stats by 50%. Several targets can be selected.

"...Of course."

Bell glared hatefully into the air. Of course he's rewarded a skill that would always remind him of what he's done. One tremendous in ability, but having been obtained in such a horrendous way.

And yet, any of the righteous or hysterical outrage he should be feeling towards it, towards the system, seemed to be dampened.

Thinking back on it now, the signs had all been there. His sudden newborn confidence in himself, progressively losing his timidness when talking to beautiful women, hardly thinking about any of his near-death experiences the more they occurred, turning the Soma Familia's bodies to ash without a second thought, and even now, in the aftermath of such a gruesome crime... he felt more guilty about scaring Lili than the idea of having commit murder for the first time. It all pointed to one thing...

The system has been emotionally changing him from the very beginning.

Freya twirled a glass of red wine in her palm, smiling contently as she overlooked Orario from the highest point of Babel. The bright light of the midday sun shone above the window, luckily at an angle where the glare didn't hit her dainty face.

By now, she would usually be at 'work,' but she has Horn handling that. Today, she simply wanted to remember the breathtaking sight she had witnessed just the previous day, the same one she had watched just this morning when her dear had been *shiver* displaying his absolutely fantastic form on the city walls. She was faintly curious as to why he always insisted on conducting those same exercises at the same place and at the same time every single day, but who was she to complain when she woke up to such a pleasant sight every sunrise?

And this particular morning had been even more delightful, for she had been able to catch the sight of her beloved's soul- a changed soul that was somehow also the same. While his soul still held the clarity —the purity she had fallen in love with —there was now even more.

Flames. Beautiful, vibrant violet flames swirled beneath the base of her beloved's soul, spiraling upward to the top, where they were enclosed. These flames felt dangerous, otherworldly, just like the entity she had seen holding them before. She had shivered at the feeling when witnessing them this morning, flames burning with the promise of consuming all that lay in its path.

And yet... these flames didn't harm her beloved's soul; they didn't even blend into it. Instead, they were abnormally calm as they flickered and curled almost protectively around the surface, like fluorescent petals shielding the inner core of a budding rose set to bloom. All the while, his pure soul glowed brighter than ever as it nestled within the blanket of flames, whisps of purity snuggling with strands of fire in gentle acceptance.

She had almost exploded in euphoria even more so looking at the change with the monsters she released for test only for the silverback to be taken out in one strike. What caused such change to obtain such strength? What trial did he have to face. Honestly she was surprised when she saw him coming out of the Daedalus street with his soul much brighter.

when she had first noticed the change, even nearly commanding Ottar to bring her beloved directly to her. She had never seen a soul change so much just by receiving magic. Freya had only wanted to see more of the latent ability deep within her beloved, and she had gotten so much more.

"Did you acquire the results you desired, my lady?" Came the stoic question from a few steps behind her.

Freya sighed in bliss, cheeks pinkening. "That and more, Ottar. His soul now has such a beautiful shell around it, and his growth is making his core shine even brighter; it's as if staring at a polished pearl within a clam, fufufu~."

"I'm elated to hear so. Will you keep watching him?" Her stone-faced adventurer asked.

"Of course. Every day, there's a chance for his soul to change once more, and even when it doesn't, I could never tire of seeing it, like whenever one would see their lover arrive back home after a hard day's work~."

Ottar, of course, said nothing about how on the nose her statement was. Not that he minded; he was simply that way.

"Should I watch him in the dungeon today? Ngh, no, I mustn't..." Freya bit her lip as her blush deepened. "If I give in to the temptation, then I'll fall into the pattern every day. I can always gaze at him directly at work. How I wish for him to visit again soon-Hm?"

It was by chance that Freya saw beautiful snow-white hair directly coming out of the base of Babel at a time when he definitely should not.

"Out of the dungeon already?"

Freya turned to her divine mirror, and the image of her beloved, accompanied by that unremarkable supporter of his, appeared. A frown marred her beautiful face as she eyed their interlocking hands, the grip on her glass tightening the smallest margin. While she knew it was simply his kindness, she didn't think that girl deserved to be so close to him. Hmph!

She then looked directly at her beloved-

Her glass shattered onto the floor.

"My lady?" Ottar's voice rose the slightest pitch, one of his largest displays of urgency, as he appeared by her side instantly.

Freya didn't hear him. She numbly stood in place, beautiful skin now completely pale with a multitude of confusion and horror on her face.

Murky.

Her beloved's soul had thickened with a murkiness threatening to consume him whole. The fading color turned dull as it tightened, closing itself away as it floated lifelessly in place. And his flames... his brilliant, otherworldly flames surrounding the core dimmed into flickers no more vibrant than a dying candle. No longer were these remaining flames even touching his soul. Instead, they stiffly orbited around it, losing all passion they had held before.

"How!? WHY!?"

"Why is it murky!?"

"What happened to his purity!?"

"What could have caused such a thing to his soul!? TO HIM!?"

It didn't make sense. Last night, his soul had been glimmering with determination! And just this morning, it had been shining brightly than ever! All he had done was go into the dungeon! What could have happened in such a short time-!?

Her head whipped to the supporter standing right beside him.

That girl, one who had such an unremarkable soul, with a brownish-red flare that had burned with resentment. Not significant in the slightest before, but now she too seemed affected by whatever had occurred, as her core was dulled and squashed into an ugly, muddied color, like dark clay full of sorrow, shame, and...

Guilt.

Guilt!

GUILT!

Freya saw red.

"It's her fault. It has to be."

She'll kill her.

"OTTAR!"

Freya whipped her head to her strongest adventurer, eyes sharpened and snarling in a way that didn't fit her beauty. She pointed at the image in the mirror in fury.

"HER! It's her fault! I want her right before me, on her knees, begging for death! She will SUFFER for this!"

"My lady, please calm yourself," Eyes the slightest bit alarmed at her fury, yet still calm, Ottar spoke. "What is it that angers you?"

"My beloved's soul, it's tainted-!" Freya choked out the word, her anger switching to genuine sorrow. "A blemish has bled itself into his purity; he's ruined! And it's because of her! It must be! I can see the guilt within her! She must PAY for it!"

Ottar patiently listened to her words, then spoke in a monotonous tone.

"My lady, you've watched both long enough to know that the boy treasures his supporter. Taking her away would only worsen his condition and wouldn't fix the issue. And it doesn't seem she directly caused such damage, or she most likely wouldn't even be next to him right now."

"I can see it as clear as day! The guilt! She was involved! And now Bell's soul is...!" Freya's hands clenched tightly as she put them over her teary eyes in frustration.

"Do you believe it's too late for him? And so easily?" Ottar bluntly asked, making her goddess look at him with a hint of confusion.

"But... But his soul is murky!"

"And you've seen others in such a state before, haven't you?" He returned.

That made Freya pause with a look of consideration, and Ottar kept going.

"If his soul is only murky, then there is a chance. You've seen others gain that haze during their most vulnerable moments, through their own self-doubt and internal conflicts. Do you not believe he'll be able to overcome his troubles and shine even brighter as others have done before?"

Freya's reddened eyes widened with sparks of hope, swerving back to the mirror.

That's right! This had happened before to souls she'd watched. She had simply lost herself in her rage since she hadn't expected her beloved to suddenly dim. Yes, souls can grow murky or darkened, but that doesn't mean those people have completely changed who they are at their core. Her beloved isn't ruined! The central color of his soul hadn't changed; it was just cloudy right now. His ideals, strength, and desires are still there; they're just dulled because he's feeling conflicted!

Guilt, confusion, frustration, shame; so many negative emotions clouded his mind, but he can still be fixed! And when he overcomes his hurdle, he'll shine brighter than ever!

He MUST!

But how!?

Freya bit her finger in frustration. She didn't even know what had caused this unexpected change in the first place. How could she create a scenario to help her beloved overcome his darkness!? That supporter of his feels guilty, so it must have involved her. She and her beloved still appear to care for each other, so if it wasn't her, then...

Her Familia, Soma's?

Is she going to have to destroy them?

No, that wouldn't fix her beloved, not even close... However, she made a note to keep an eye on those cur and investigate their involvement.

Instead, perhaps she could help investigate and ease her beloved's concerns with soothing words, but would that be enough? At times, words just can't compare to the showing of actions. And for someone like her beloved, whose own desires are the biggest motivator for himself, she didn't know how to spring him back up…

"Ottar..." Freya turned back to the man, wishing for a different perspective. "What could have caused such a change?"

The man monotonously replied. "I am unsure. But whatever it was, it must've clashed against his ideals to the extreme for him to start doubting them and, by extension, himself. The boy has the spirit to shine brightly, but his core lacks enough strength not to be shaken by extreme conflict."

Freya's eyes narrowed. "So he has trauma then? I've forgotten just how delicate children can be... How can we free him from such a restraint?"

"He's missing, or perhaps has forgotten, his determination for his goals. He's doubting himself, so we must fix that doubt so that he keeps driving himself forward. I believe he needs a challenge, one where either he'll break free of those chains holding him back... or die to his own weakness, his faltering resolve."

Freya pressed her lips together. Ottar's suggestion did make sense; however, it was clear that he was inferring they would need to put her beloved in an extreme situation that could easily threaten his life. And yet...

"...What do you have in mind?"

"My lady, if you recall, when you had given me the boy's name to find information on him, we learned that during his second week in the dungeon, he had been involved in a certain incident."

"The minotaur, correct?" She remembered the commotion around the time, a monster and novice adventurer discovering a new room in the dungeon, though it held nothing significant from what she heard.

Ottar nodded. "Though it's not guaranteed that it relates to the main problem, I believe refacing such a wall will remind the boy of his desires and reignite his will. He must realize that above all, strength is the most important factor in Orario, for it's what will allow him to overcome anything, including his own troubles."

Freya considered his suggestion for over a minute, concerned that having Bell face a threat while in such a vulnerable state would increase the chance of him making a life-ending mistake.

And yet, she nodded.

"... I'll leave it in your hands, Ottar."

"I will not disappoint you, my lady."

And with that, the strongest adventurer in Orario departed for the dungeon, leaving Freya alone in her room as she watched her beloved and his supporter stiffly trek back to Hestia's church. It filled her heart with an anguish she had never experienced before, to see his eyes so dull... A part of her wanted to command Ottar to bring him to her so that she could lock him away, to hold him and whisper lovingly into his ear as she nursed his purity back to him.

But she couldn't, for taking him away right now wouldn't fix him. It will only be through his actions that he can regain his shine, or perhaps a new transformation entirely. She couldn't coddle her beloved. Even if he had lost his initial innocence in the ugliness of Orario, she couldn't directly get involved in his life. That wouldn't do for his growth.

As she solemnly watched Bell enter the church that is his home with his lackluster supporter, Freya suddenly shivered as she felt an imposing aura emerge, to which she immediately shut off her mirror. There was no doubt that the otherworldly presence inside the child's soul had enough of her observing. Although it had been far more tolerant in letting her watch him lately, she couldn't look too deep into his soul where she knew it resided, nor did it appreciate her looking for too long. Still, it was a blessing that the entity allowed her to watch her beloved and peer into the surface of his soul for small periods.

So even if the worst were to occur, should Bell's soul still become imperfect, she'd still have and love him the same way she has towards her children. She must learn the secrets of such a profound and dangerous power that was somehow dark in existence yet not malicious in nature. She wants to learn just what made such an entity emit such primordial power that even a divine being like her was wary of. But for now... she'll wait, just as she's already been doing. It would be up to Bell's own efforts to prove himself to her, to show that he's exactly what she wants him to be.

However... that doesn't mean he can't at least receive some encouraging words before his adventure.

And Freya knew just who could give them to him.

After disappearing for about an hour during her break, a sheepish Syr returned to the hostess to an angry Mia, who hadn't hesitated to bonk her on the head for skirting on her duties again.

But she wasn't particularly worried about getting fired; Mia would never do such a thing to her~.

However, she had been sent straight to clean the bathrooms as a punishment... That monster!

But after about half an hour of very carefully not directly touching anything caused by the previous night, Syr emerged from the bathrooms carrying her cleaning supplies with a pout... only to come upon an interesting conversation between her two feline friends/coworkers sweeping and wiping tables.

"In a month! And I don't even think it was a full one, nya!" Chloe exclaimed, her hands shooting up with rags.

"Syr really knows how pick em, nya." Anya nodded.

"What about me, Anya?" She spoke up innocently.

"Nya!? Syr!?" The brown-haired catgirl swerved to her friend with wide eyes. "Where have you been!? You left us with your dishes again!" She fumed.

"Ehe~ Sorry about that, Anya, but I had something important to do real quick... but now I'm here!" She beamed as if she hadn't been slacking off again. "But more importantly, what were you two talking about?"

"Syr, Syr! Cute tushy-kun leveled up yesterday!" Chloe excitedly shouted.

*Crash!*

"Syr!?"

Cleaning liquids and brushes spilled on the ground, with Syr standing in the middle of it all. Her face was pale in shock and disbelief, her arms dangling lifelessly at her sides.

"Wh-What?"

As Anya and Chloe panicked over their friend's reaction, a multitude of emotions swirled inside Syr.

"He... leveled up?"

She looked down at the ground, her bewilderment reflecting back at her.

"Then... why...?"

Bell and Lili left the dungeon in silence.

Even though he had used the status recovery to clean himself up, he knew that the lingering scent wasn't as easily erasable. There was no doubt that every beast folk they passed must've picked up the smell. He could only hope they'd assume it was only his own blood... and that none of them were part of Lili's Familia.

As for the girl herself, she held his hand and twitched at anyone who walked passed them as if expecting to be attacked at any moment. She was even more tense than Bell himself, who only kept a sharp eye on their surroundings for anyone maliciously watching. No longer wearing her cloak, the girl had altered her appearance to that of a chienthrope, finally revealing to Bell the type of magic she had been using to disguise herself—a transformation spell. Yet that was the last thing he was thinking about right now.

Bell led Lili by the hand the entire route back to the church, and it was when they walked into the inner aisle that he dreadfullly realized he needed to tell Hestia what he'd done. A part of him prayed that his goddess had already left for work... but of course that wasn't the case. It was still early in the morning, only about two hours since the earliest crack of dawn when he had left. Everything that had transpired hadn't even taken a quarter of the day. Hestia wasn't an early riser like him, nor did her job require her to be out too early in the day.

She had just been leaving their room when they arrived.

"Bell?" She blinked in surprise to see him, only for her eyes to bulge and her twin tails to shoot up at the sight of their interlocked hands. "Who's that!? Why are you holding her hand!? Wait, that's your supporter, isn't it!? I thought I told you about not cozying up to...?"

She finally noticed the look in his eyes, the tenseness in their forms, the absolute defeat radiating off them.

"Bell?" Her voice turned softer but full of concern as she rushed to him, taking his other hand in her small palms. "Bell, what's wrong?"

Breathe in. Breathe out.

"Hestia, I…" He opened his mouth, only to purse his lips and look down at his feet, shame and frustration burning within him. Knowing the inevitable anguish he'd see on her face made being in front of his innocent goddess worse.

In the end, he could only sigh.

"I'm sorry…"

Hestia's hands tightly gripped his. "Bell, you're scaring me. Just tell me what happened, please."

There was no way he'd hide it from her, so he told her everything.

Hesitant and repentant, he told her what happened in the dungeon: meeting up with Lili, making things clear between them, members of her Familia confronting them, and then... what he had been forced to do to them.

He'd never seen his goddess look so horrified.

But... she didn't scream at him. She didn't get disgusted or revolted; she didn't push him away or even refuse to look at him.

Instead, she cried.

No... she wailed and clutched onto him like a lifeline, her words incoherent and mumbled as she babbled into his chest, arms tightly holding him in place. Bell was forced to let go of Lili's hand as Hestia collapsed to her knees, dropping to his own to hug her back.

She didn't blame him.

Even though he should've known better, an irrational fear had wormed itself in his head, making him think that Hestia would despise him for resorting to murder, even when he hadn't told her it was because of the system yet. But she didn't blame or accuse him of anything; she just wept for him. But even with his relief, he could only gently caress her with a sad, tired look in his eyes. He probably would've been crying with her if the system wasn't quelling his motions like he's assuming.

However, things were far from resolved.

It was just a brief second when Hestia's reddish and flooding eyes glanced over at Lili. Small, quiet Lili, who had moved several steps away from them, had her eyes hidden under her hood. Lili, who the goddess knew Bell allowed to be his supporter despite her dishonest intentions. Lili, who was indirectly the reason why her Familia had attacked her first child.

"You... YOU!" Hesita lashed out like a mad woman, nearly hurling herself in the pallum's direction had Bell not held her in place against him. And even then, she started struggling in his arms. "It's all your fault! If you hadn't gotten involved with Bell, this wouldn't have happened! You THEIF!"

Lili didn't flinch; she didn't even look like she was even present in mind. Her head and hands just hung limply in place like a hanging carcass, nothing but her mouth visible under her hood.

Bell narrowed his eyes and held the woman firmer. "Hestia, don't."

His stern tone had the goddess look up at him in disarray.

"B-But Bell-!"

"Please," He said softer, making her quiet. "Please don't blame Lili. She was forced into this situation just as much as me."

He adjusted their position so that he was sitting cross-legged with her on his lap.

"Even if she hadn't gotten involved with me, I... I still would've ended up forced into a situation like that sooner or later."

"B-Bell? What do you mean?" She asked hesitantly.

He looked her right in the eyes, defeat in his own.

"The system made me do it. It sent a quest when those men tried to kill me... it wouldn't accept anything else."

Confusion filled Hesita's eyes for a moment, then shock, then a pale look of realization.

"N-No... It didn't! It really went as far to-!" She sputtered before realizing just who else was with them. She swerved her head to Lili's unmoving form before turning back to him in panic. "Bell, she's-! You just-!"

He gave her a meaningful look.

"It's fine, Hestia."

Her eyes widened to her forehead, outrage lighting them. "You told her!?"

Bell shook his head with a sigh. "No, but I'm going to."

Hestia turned hysterical, fury and disbelief filling her face, her grip on Bell tightening. "No! Absolutely not! Bell, all she's ever done is try to steal from you! And look what a happened because of it! I forbid it! You aren't gonna tell that no-good thief-!"

"That isn't your decision to make."

It was like an arrow right through the heart. Hestia's anger snuffed into dread as she shrunk on herself. She looked up at Bell with the slightest bit of fear, instantly making him cringe in regret at the unintentional coldness his words carried.

"Wait, I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to say it like that." He backtracked. "Your opinion matters as much to me as my own, and it always will, it's just-"

He took a small inhale.

"I know how you're feeling right now, Hestia. Everything isn't ideal right now... far from it, and you have every reason to suspect and reject Lili, but you trust me, right? And I trust Lili. With my new skill, you know I wouldn't trust someone who doesn't deserve it. Lili did do bad things, but she was forced into a bad situation where she thought they were the only things she could do. And if I don't help her now, then..."

He scowled. "Her Familia will kill her. Their captain knows about us partying together, so whether I cut ties with her or not, they could come after us at some point."

He looked at her with desperate earnestness.

"I can help Lili get stronger with the system, and having her around can help me, especially against swarms of monsters I tend to face. You didn't want me to face it all alone, right? I know you're scared and worried but... trust me, okay?"

Hestia didn't say anything for a few seconds, just staring up at Bell unsurely. Then she pressed herself against him again in a tight hug, resting her forehead against his chest.

"I... I don't know what to do, Bell... I can't! You never-! You just keep going through horrible things, and I can't do anything to help! I just want you to be safe and stay here with me... but I know you can't. Y-You have to keep getting stronger. Because if you don't, and you fight something you can't handle, then you'll die, and it won't even care!"

She started trembling in his arms once more, voice turning a pitch higher.

"I-I don't want you to trust someone that's tried to hurt you before, even with your new skill. *Sniff* But I also want to respect your decisions and make sure you're safer while in those dungeons... So i-if you really trust your supporter, then I'll try to accept it. But please... please be careful."

His shirt became damp with tears.

"I won't be able to take it if you die, Bell... I can't! So please live... don't leave me alone."

Bell's heart twisted as he returned the embrace twice as tight, eyes clenching in misery.

"I'll never leave you, Hestia. I told you before, I'll always come back to you, no matter what the system throws at me," He whispered into her ear. "I don't want to hurt more people, much less kill them, but I may not have a choice in the future, just like today. So I promise to get stronger, Hestia. I'll get so strong that no one would even think about trying to do anything to me or those I care about, so I won't be forced to do anything back in return! But... I'm sorry, Hestia. I don't know how many times I'll have to... do it again. I'll try, I promise that I'll try anything to not let it happen, but I don't think I'll be able to avoid it entirely. I'm so sorry..."

It wasn't anything a pure goddess like Hestia wanted to hear, and there was no optimism they could hold onto after what Bell had already done. Her child, her precious child was going to be forced to take more lives in the future because of an external force they knew nothing about.

It all but broke her soul.

"*Sniff* Bell... Bell!" Hestia wailed in his arms as all her frustrations, all of her fears and concerns, came pouring out in a heart-wrenching wail. She cried and sobbed that he'd be okay, that she wouldn't think of him badly even if he was forced to make more terrible choices, that she'd always be with him through the worse of everything.

And the entire time, Bell softly caressed her back, his tired eyes closed, as he exhaled a drained breath, trying to comfort himself with the warmth of the goddess.

Things wouldn't be the same, not after today. While his goddess still loved him, and he loved her in return, there was new stress that would remain between them. The knowledge that Bell had taken lives and may continue to do so brought untold pressure; what other lines would be crossed? What else would he be forced to do because of the system? Would he end up turning into anything but the Bell she'd been so fond of?

But even with all the possibilities in the future, there was one thing that would always be guaranteed.

"No matter what happens, no matter what I'll end up having to do, we'll always have each other... I'll make sure of it."

A notification drew his eyes open.

(!)ALARM

Your PARTY MEMBER has unlocked the skill [Geas Bloodfury].

"What?"

He reread the message before sharply swerving his head to where Lili was, finding that the pallum had finally raised her head and was looking directly at him.

And in her intense gaze was a pair of blood-red eyes.

"It's all your fault!"

There's no other truth. Everything that happened, everything Bell-sama had been forced to do... It's all because of her. If she had never resorted to stealing from adventurers, if she had never gotten Bell-sama involved with her in the first place, then she wouldn't have ruined him.

The guilt was mauling her, tearing her asunder to the point that she couldn't feel anything else. Someone so selfless, so kind, shouldn't have needed to get blood on their hands just to protect someone like her. She was an infection, a parasite, someone who only leeched off the work and foolishness of others, all for her own selfish needs.

"It's all your fault!"

Even if Bell-sama would forgive her, she'll never forgive herself. And she knows he'll do it. He forgave her despite all the lying and exploiting she'd done; he forgave her despite knowing she had led him into a trap for Canoe, so why wouldn't he forgive her for this, too? For making him do something so awful because of her own weakness? Even now, he had defended her from Hestia-sama's words despite them being true.

It made her sick.

She's his supporter, but he's the one supporting her, the one accepting her despite being so vile. She couldn't look at him from the moment he had started cremating the bodies of their assailants. She was scared of seeing it again, that lifeless, ashen gaze that didn't belong on someone as wonderful as Bell-sama. A look that she caused...

"It's all your-!"

No.

It's not just HER fault.

She's the most to blame for causing such anguish in Bell-sama; that's an indisputable fact that she'll never deny. But she wasn't the one who had forced the situation to escalate as it did; that had caused everything to be ruined!

She never would have been alone if her parents hadn't left her behind because of their own drunken obsession with Soma!

She never would have needed to lie and steal if Soma had just fixed the pathetic trash that's his Familia!

She never would have ruined Bell-sama if Canoe and his men had just stopped being greedy pigs and left her alone!

Ever since she was born, the world has made sure to constantly put her down just for existing. Why couldn't anyone have been even a little like Bell-sama!? Why did this shithole of a city have to be so damn selfish!? Why did every single adventurer, every single person who's seen her suffer just ignore it!? Why did some of them even join instead!?

Citizens? Content on being oblivious bystanders ignoring the pain of others! Adventurers? Arrogant scumbags who hold delusions of fame and glory born from crooked greed! The gods!? Her piece of shit deity sitting on his ass while his captain corrupts the Familia should say enough!

She hates them! She hates all of them!

She hates this damn world! All it does is inflict pain and suffering on everyone! On her! On Bell-sama!

She doesn't need them.

Icons, saints, heroes? Orario has given her nothing! It's only tormented her, forcing her to lie and steal for her entire life, ignoring her cries for help to the point where she had given up trying to reach out to others when the bastards would never do the same to her!

But not Bell-sama.

His words, his kindness... they saved her.

Holding him close in the dungeon, Lili deeply breathed in. He reeked of blood and sweat, but that did nothing to make her let him go. His hand on her head brought a feeling of safety she had never experienced before.

He saved her when no one else would, doing what not a single adventurer in Orario would do for a supporter like her. And what did he get for it? His precious innocence destroyed.

Bell-sama is hope for the world, hope it doesn't deserve.

But... She doesn't want him to hate the world like her. He can't be like her, someone so detestable. He's shaken, plagued by actions forced by her wretchedness, but he isn't corrupted.

She can help him. It'll never make up for what she's done, but she can no longer just sit back and passively be his supporter; she couldn't let her race's weakness be an excuse for her own shortcomings. Between his outrageous level-up and stunning looks, Bell-sama was going to get more attention in the future, too much attention, and it'll be fast. Zanis already knows about them, which means more people will come after them when he realizes Canoe's disappearance.

So what happens if Bell-sama is forced to do the same as before?

She can't let that happen.

Even if they all deserve what they get, she can't let Bell-sama commit such acts by himself.

His enemies, they're HER enemies just as much now.

She would die for Bell-sama, but he KILLED for her.

The least she could do was return the favor. She can't let him handle that burden alone; she'll take it all if she can!

SHE WILL!

Standing in the church, Lili's dull stare ignited as she raised her head with a determined, burning glare. Her chestnut-brown eyes flashed with a menacing, blood-red color, orbs so deep with crimson that they could drown those who stared into them.

She'll have her eyes see that everyone seeking to harm him turned into ripped flesh!

Her enemies, bastards who'd take what's hers! They'll all burn in hell!

EVERYONE, EVERYTHING, BEGONE!

"Lili?"

Bell felt his nerves tense as he stared directly into his supporter's cold, impassive gaze, feeling something ominous behind those eyes.

"Why are they red? Does it have to do with her new skill!? And... why does she look so imposing now?"

"Bell-sama!" The pallum shouted rather loudly. Her stance, no... her very aura seemed to have changed. She stood tall and straight, determined and invigorated, yet with an air of elegance and elitism from an origin unknown. She looked like an adventurer, no, a warrior, ready to fight.

"Lili is sorry for everything! She never wanted you to go through something like that! She'll make sure to make it up to you with her life!"

Alarm bells rang in his head. "Huh!? Wait, hold on Lili-!"

His words hitched as the pallum suddenly bowed, and it wasn't just a slight lean forward; no, the girl dropped to the floor and practically slammed her palms and forehead to the ground.

"A dogeza!?" Hestia choked.

"Goddess Hestia-sama, no words can ever describe how much shame and guilt Lili feels for what she's done! She wanted to steal from someone as wonderful as Bell-sama, and Lili doesn't deserve any of the kindness he's given her!"

Her palms tightly balled into fists.

"Lili knows that she's done terrible things, that she's not someone who should be near anyone like Bell-sama! But even then… Lili wants to stand by his side!"

"Lili…" Bell muttered softly.

"Lili won't be a burden anymore! She'll get stronger, just like Bell-sama! Lili will learn to fight so that she isn't just a supporter who Bell-sama always has to protect! She wants to protect him, she wants to fight together with him, she wants to be strong like him! Whatever he goes through, Lili will make sure that she's there to take it for him! So please, Hestia-sama! Please let Lili party with Bell-sama just like before!"

Silence followed the girl's declaration, with both Bell and Hestia somewhat stunned by the sheer conviction in her voice. This was especially the case for Bell, who had seen Lili as still and silent as a corpse just earlier.

Hestia was the one who regained her bearings first; she separated herself from Bell, her expression shifting. Her still reddish eyes bore into the pallum as she stood over her with great disdain, and then she spoke.

"Miss supporter… I'm going to be honest, I despise you. Even if other factors were involved, it doesn't change the fact that, because of your choices, Bell had to do something he never wanted to do, something he'll never be able to take back. And he did it to save you!" She hissed.

Bell frowned. "Hestia-"

She sharply held up a palm to cut him off.

"You're selfish. Even if your circumstances were harsh, you still dragged Bell into this situation. You've lied to him, leeched off him, tried to steal from him, made him kill, and then you have the audacity to ask to stay with him even when you should know Bell wouldn't abandon you at this point."

Hestia was merciless, and if looks could kill, Lili already would've been a carcass buried in the center of the Earth. Despite her height, she towered over the pallum with her eyes cold and unforgiving, a look you'd see on a woman protecting her family from a threat to them.

"I'll never forgive you for what you made Bell go through. And if it was up to me, you'd already be gone and locked up."

Lili trembled against the floor but didn't move from her position; each of the goddess's words further twisted the knife in her heart.

"But Bell..." Hestia closed her eyes and sighed, shaking her head in both fondness and disappointment. "Bell still cares about you, even when you've just leeched off his kindness. He wants you to stay with him, even when you've gotten him hurt. He considers you a friend now, and I'll respect his decision, even if I hate it with every fiber of my being."

Then Hestia started glowing. Her twin tails floated upward, whisps of light flew around her, and her eyes gained an otherwordly rainbow glow. Bell froze with the hairs standing on his neck, his entire body tensing at the unmistakable feeling of arcanum from his goddess. He didn't think she'd go as far as to let her divinity leak from her vessel.

She glowered and spoke in an authoritarian benevolence befitting of a goddess.

"Your words from before are true and earnest, so I don't contest that self-interest no longer drives you. You care for Bell and truly regret all of your previous actions..." Her eyes narrowed. "But do you think that's enough to earn forgiveness? Do you believe you deserve redemption and trust after what you've done? You say that you'll get stronger for Bell, but how do we know that you'll keep true to that?"

She leaned down by Lili's ear, the air pulsing around her as she whispered.

"Liliruca Arde, I will ask once, and only once; Do you truly believe you're strong enough to never let your willpower wave? To always fight for Bell even in the darkest of situations? Even when it seems that your death is guaranteed? Would you still fight for him to the end in atonement for your sins?"

Despite the pressure practically suffocating her, despite trembling in the presence of raw divinity, Lili shakily raised her head to reveal her desperate, flooding red orbs.

"YES!" Her voice cracked in raw emotion. "Lili swears that her life is Bell-sama's now! She'll never betray him; she'll never even consider it! Lili will stick by his side and do anything for Bell-sama! Anything! If he asks her to fight, she'll fight! If he asks her to kill, she'll kill! If she asks her to die, SHE'LL DIE!" She screamed.

Hestia's prismatic gaze stared down at Lili's teary eyes for several seconds as if searching for any lies despite the impossibility. She then pulled back and stood straight. Her hair fell as her arcanum died, a stern expression taking her face as she crossed her arms.

"If you had shown any hesitation, I would've expelled you from my home and forbid you from ever returning, regardless of Bell's wishes. Be glad he's so kind, or I wouldn't have even given you the chance!" She hissed.

Bell frowned but was prevented from saying anything by Lili.

"Bell-samaaaaa!" Her eyes suddenly changed back to their natural brown as she all but dove at him. She slammed into his chest and hugged him as tight as her small arms allowed her to, sobbing all the while. Bell returned the embrace as the girl started bawling, "Lili is sorry! She's so sorry for stealing from people! She's sorry she had to make you save her like that! She's sorry for everything!"

She choked on her sobs and sniffled, practically trying to meld herself in his body.

"A-And… And thank you… Thank you for saving Lili when no one else would! Thank you for accepting Lili as a friend! For you and Hestia-sama, she promises to be better! She'll make sure she's useful and give all she has for you! Everything from her knowledge to her body are all yours!"

Bell twitched at the insinuation while Hestia squawked in indignation. He had to send his goddess a pleading look just as she opened her mouth with a fist up, quieting her. She ground her teeth but reluctantly looked away with a low growl, telling herself that the Pallum was only emotionally vulnerable right now.

Bell then focused on the girl in his arms, his hand moving to gently caress her hair.

"You won't have to do anything you don't want to do, Lili. Never again."

It was a repeat of their moment in the dungeon, at least before Canoe and his men had ruined it. Lili curled into Bell as she cried for several minutes, either apologizing or thanking him the entire time. All she had ever wanted was for someone to save her, and now she had finally found that person.

It was only when she exhausted herself that the pallum finally grew limp as she fell asleep.

Bell barely smiled at the picture of innocence: Lili huddled up in his arms, looking more peaceful than he had ever seen her. He was happy that he had been able to save someone like a hero would... except his methods had been far from heroic, even if they were against those who were villainous in nature.

He stood and held her up in a princess carry as he took her to the bed, gently laying her on the mattress and sitting on the edge next to her.

He then looked to Hestia, who was evidently unhappy as she stared at the two. But even she turned somewhat sympathetic when she glanced at Lili's still form, sighing with a shake of her head.

"She really has been through a lot, hasn't she?"

"She has…" Bell gave her a slight frown. "You could've taken it easier on her, you know?"

"No," She denied instantly and quite sternly. "I had to see for myself if she really developed a willpower that would never waver. Even a moment of hesitation could be life-threatening in the future. I wasn't going to leave you with someone that could get you killed by her own weakness, Bell."

Bell didn't respond, instead opting to look back down at Lili as he gently dug his fingers through her hair.

"You… think I went too far?"

Hestia's composed benevolence gave way to vulnerable unease.

He closed his eyes. "No, I understand… Unlike me, you haven't spent any time with Lili and don't know anything about her besides what I told you. I can't blame you for being so cautious."

She slumped in relief, but that was when the fatigue began to show in her eyes.

"Good…"

An uncomfortable silence settled between them, one that only got tense as the seconds ticked by. Neither knew what to say to the other in this situation, as neither was in the right mental state to make a healthy decision about their future choices.

Desperate to break the silence, Bell took a safe option and decided to tell Hestia the odd interval he had seen.

"They aren't usually red... Lili's eyes, I mean." He clarified at her raised eyebrow. "This was your first time seeing her, but her eyes were always brown like her hair."

Hestia blinked in confusion.

"What do you mean? Does she just change them sometimes?"

"No, Lili always used magic to disguise herself, I'm sure of it. But this is different." Bell rubbed his chin in thought. "When you saw her face, that was the first time I've seen her eyes turn red. She gained a new skill right at that moment, so I'm sure that's what caused it."

Hestia's tired eyes blinked almost as if they were flapping like a hummingbird's wings.

"Wait, hold on-Bell! How do you know that your supporter just got a new skill while we were talking?"

Bell just stared at her, only blinking once.

"Did I never tell you about the party function?"

"Bell."

Uh oh, he forgot to tell her something again. But at least the dark mood had lightened somewhat.

He gave a sheepish, although weak, smile. "Sorry, Hestia. With all these new things the system throws at me, I can't help it if a few slip my mind. The party function was something that appeared when Lili first joined me for the dungeon. From what I understand, people accompanying me into combat are recognized as part of my party; from there, they can teleport into instant dungeons with me and gain excelia depending on contributions in fights."

A look of realization crossed the goddess's face.

"So that's what you meant by helping your supporter get stronger? You're gonna use the system-" She paused, biting her lip with a flash of anger for even mentioning the mystical force. "...and take her into the instant dungeons?" She forcefully finished.

Bell gave a so-so gesture. "Most likely just the weaker ones for now. I don't know how the system-" He griped bitterly, "-will feel having her or others with me in every dungeon. There's a high chance there'll be limitations of some kind."

He shook his head. "I'll find out about that later; the point is that the party function's other aspect is that it lets me see the statuses of those in my party. And apparently, I also get notified when a change in their status occurs, like just now."

Hestia. Stared.

"Bell? Do their statuses constantly update like how yours does?

He paused.

"I… don't know? I never actually looked at Lili's status. Even with her intentions, I didn't want to violate her privacy. And I had already realized that she was transforming through magic anyway-"

"Check."

He paused. "What?"

"Check her status now, then." Hestia sternly declared insistently.

He was taken aback. "What? But-"

"Bell, your supporter is stuck with us and practically said she'd be your servant in all but name. She'd show her status to you with no hesitation if you just asked."

"Don't call her that, and that doesn't mean I can't ask her first rather than do it without permission." Bell frowned.

"Don't think about little things like that right now. All things considered, you had every right to look when she was planning to steal from you." She rebuked.

"I… okay." He decided to concede to her point, too tired to argue. Besides, logically, he should have looked much earlier when he realized the potential danger.

Turning to the empty air, he gave a mental command, and all was revealed.

Liliruca Arde

Level [1]

{STR}: I-42 - I-51

{VIT}: I-42 - I-71

{DEX}: H-143 - G-202

{AGI}: G-285 - F-311

{MAG}: F-317 - F-354

[Magic]

Cinder Ella-Transformation magic that enables the user to change into anything around their size.

"Your wound is mine. My wound is mine. Echoing message of midnight."

[Skills]

Artel Assist-When the user is carrying a certain amount of weight, the skill will help compensate in abilities. The amount compensated depends on the weight.

Geas Bloodfury-Utilizes the user's anger to power all abilities. Effect rises based on the user's rage, potentially making the user stronger than their actual level at the cost of poorer judgment. When wielding a spear, the user temporarily gains the Development Ability Spearman. Effects are dependent on level.

[Development Abilities]

Bell blinked dumbly at the influx of information, taking a moment to process it.

Firstly, Lili's jump in stats. While it looked like an impressive jump at first glance for the time she spent only occasionally sniping monsters with him in the dungeon, he doubted a chunk of it was thanks to the system. Lili had told him that anyone who wanted a status update in her Familia was required to pay a fee to their captain before being taken to Soma. Knowing the pallum, she must have just opted to avoid wasting money and continued doing so for who knows how long, piling up a substantial amount of Excelia in addition to the small amounts she earned partying with him. However, as Hestia inferred, it seems that he can update her status simply by checking it. It was an incredible thing to have, especially now.

Next, her magic, Cinder Ella… It was a transformation magic just like he had assumed. But now that he's reading it, why hadn't she just changed her appearance entirely rather than just give herself ears? Is there a limit on how long she can hold her spell? It would explain why she always wore a hood in the dungeon and still kept all her key features.

And lastly, her new skill…

He didn't know where to begin with it. He could only call it incredible, an ability that alone can change the tide of any battle. It helped Lili get stronger and granted her a Development Ability at level one, something he doubted anyone else in Orario has. Not even the system had given him one that early.

"Bell?" Hestia called out, noticing his eyebrows furrow. "What do you see?"

"It's... Wait, hold on. Let me try something." Bell reached into the nightstand on the side and pulled out a sheet of parchment. It then immediately glowed purple as information was printed upon it, making Bell hum. "So it does work with another person's status; here you go."

At this point, Hestia was used to Bell's absurd feats and simply took the parchment with a flat look. She then examined the information for a few seconds before her eyes widened.

"Bloodfury!? But that's-! Wait, no, that was returned… a reference then? It's a little on the nose, especially with that second part, but the potential of this skill is insane," she mumbled.

"Hestia?" Bell called out to her, making her blink.

"Ah, sorry, Bell. I was just reminded of something I heard before… I can tell that this skill of your supporter is amazing and definitely came from her desire to get stronger. The most incredible part is that it appears to be a completely passive power boost, with the only downside being her ability to think clearly. It's honestly a waste for someone like her." She looked up at him, looking slightly relieved yet incredibly exhausted.

"But at least that means she can actually help you instead of being dead weight again." She finished, giving a cold look at the pallum's sleeping form.

Bell's eyes sharpened. "Hestia, I... I know you don't like Lili, but please stop being passive-aggressive towards her. I won't ask you to get along with her since I understand your anger, but at least be respectful enough not to insult her at every opportunity, regardless of whether she's awake to hear it or not."

Hestia withered at that, but there was still frustration and sorrow that started roaring up yet again.

"I-! I don't... I know, Bell! I know it's unfair to treat her like that considering her circumstances, but... " Her hands clenched, and she pressed them over her face, trembling. "I'm angry, Bell! This shouldn't have happened! You shouldn't have had to kill anyone! I knew that you'd get the bad kind of attention sooner or later with how strong you're getting, b-but I didn't think something like this would happen!"

Hestia's eyes started watering again from stress, and she stumbled forward before climbing on the bed and practically collapsing against Bell.

"Is it wrong that I just don't want bad influences around you? That I hate people who hurt you...!?" She sniffled and curled up against him. "Is it wrong that I just want you to be okay?"

Bell gazed sadly at his goddess, closing his eyes as he leaned back on the bed so that they were lying on their sides, softly embracing each other.

"No Hestia, not at all."

They both lay there in silence, with Hestia shaking with muffled sniffles as Bell's fingers combed through her hair, the mental exhaustion of the day's events showing itself in his gaze. At one point, he felt two small arms hug him from behind with a forehead pressing itself on his back. He didn't even need to look to know that Lili must have missed his warmth and unconsciously moved closer.

As the rays of midday bled between the floorboards, Hestia's sniffles quieted down until only her breathing was audible.

"...Bell?"

"Yes, Hestia?"

"Please stay with me..."

In response, he lightly pulled her up in his hold so that his chin rested on top of her head.

"As long as you'd like." He whispered.

They didn't move for the rest of the day.

Bell lay motionless between Hestia and Lili, both girls practically lifeless in their tired slumber yet clinging to him like he'd disappear at any moment.

Lying on the bed, completely unmoving, he stared into nothingness with only the sounds of gentle breathing filling the room. He couldn't even join Hestia and Lili in slumbering, for every time he'd close his eyes...

'W-Wait! Agh, pleashe!'

He'd see their bodies all over again.

So Bell drifted.

Not sleeping, yet not completely awake, he drifted through muddled and dim thoughts, viewing his actions over and over again with only hypotheticals to consider.

"Could I have done anything different?"

"Could I have convinced them to stop?"

"Couldn't I have just taken them to the guild?"

"What if I had called out Lili at the very beginning?"

It was a convoluted set of thoughts. To Bell, those men had deserved to be punished for what they'd done to Lili, for constantly stealing and beating her down when she had only been trying to survive. But going as far as saying they deserved to die? Yes, they had deserved to be locked away and even kicked out of their Familia, but… killed? To Bell, that was too high and sudden of a price. While many people might not think much of it and say it was warranted, he didn't think that way. Despite what they did, Bell hadn't known anything about those men besides that they were general ruffians out for greed, just more desperate for it than most. He didn't know if they had taken lives or what other crimes they had committed... so killing them without knowing was too far for him.

It went against his deepest morals. Above all, he wants to be a hero. It was what he was raised with: tales of the heroes of old conveyed by his Gramps, that heroes are known as heroes because of all the people they've saved, not for all the people they've killed... Heroes don't take lives simply because it's the most convenient option for them; they don't mercilessly retaliate against others by slaughtering them...

At that point, they're no longer heroes, just executioners.

Hestia and Lili were horrified by his actions, but not at him. They understood that it wasn't his fault, but would anyone without context of the system think the same? He'd just be considered another murderer in the eyes of Orario...

Can he even be a hero anymore as long as the system influences him?

Bell blinked some coherency back into his eyes and found himself in the bedroom, engulfed in darkness, still being hugged by the girls in the exact same position they had left.

"...It's already nighttime."

Had he really been drowning in his thoughts for that long?

*Grumble...*

He looked down at Hestia's pained expression, hearing a loud growling coming from her stomach.

He frowned. "She hasn't eaten anything today... We've all skipped meals."

Despite feeling so exhausted, Bell wasn't the sort to leave his loved ones needlessly suffering because of his own depression. They needed to eat, even though he hardly felt like doing so. It was difficult, but with plenty of practice in escaping his goddess's holds, he managed to free himself from Hestia and Lili's grips. Sluggishly standing up, Bell realized that they didn't have anything for him to make even a sandwich out of, meaning he'd have to go out for food. He started thinking about where he could go, but the answer came clear easily.

"The hostess..."

He thought about all his friends working there and grimaced, unsure if he wanted to meet with them so soon after his recent experience. But it was close, and he didn't know any other places to go besides Babel's public cafeteria, which is at the center of Orario, like the dungeon.

So, putting up with his grievances, Bell wrote a brief letter to Hestia explaining where he had gone in case she woke up before he left for the chilly nighttime of Orario. Bell trudged down the main street tense and alert, eyeing every possible corner an attack could come from. Even though he was sure he had covered his tracks, paranoia plagued him to keep up his guard. It was when he reached the hostess that he forced himself to take a few deep breaths and calm down, not wanting to disturb any of the staff with his mood. He'd be in and out, that's it.

Putting on his happiest smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, he stepped into the lit and rowdy pub.

He saw many adventurers enjoying themselves with food and ale, some quiet while others boisterously loud. He couldn't help the surge of envy at how they could enjoy themselves without a care in the world, something he'd lost under the system's control. Every day, there's the chance to be thrown into another life-or-death situation; every fight against another person could suddenly result in being forced to take their life if their intentions were dangerous.

Where did it all go wrong?

"Welcome back, Mister Cranel."

Bell almost flinched, realizing that he had been staring for too long, and turned to find the singular elf waitress now in front of him with a stoic but welcoming gaze. However, she suddenly tensed, her eyes widening just the tiniest fraction.

"Mister Cranel?" She repeated a little more hesitantly.

"Ah, good afternoon, Ryuu." Bell forced the smile to remain on his face. "Sorry, I won't be here for too long. My goddess skipped lunch and I just need to pick something up for her real quick."

"...I see," Ryuu stared at him, her expression returned to its neutral state, but with something else behind it. "That's a shame; I had assumed you wanted to celebrate your level up here. The others had been quite excited to hear of it."

Bell tensed. In his own self-loathing, he had completely forgotten about his record-breaking level-up, the achievement that guaranteed to draw attention from other adventurers. And now here he was, standing in a pub frequented by them when he should be keeping a low profile. He could only hope the news hadn't spread entirely yet or that people wouldn't immediately recognize him.

Anya appeared just to the side, carrying an empty tray.

"Nya, white-haired-kun! Perfect timing! We heard about your level-up! Good job breaking the record, you made Syr drop her things when she heard it, nyaha!"

Damn it Anya.

Suddenly, the rowdiness of the hostess died. Those conversing all had their eyes on him now. While there was curiosity and intrigue, there was also plenty of doubt, as well as confusion.

"That's him? The record breaker?"

"What? No, it's not, this pretty boy ain't look anything like his picture!"

"Maybe it's his brother?"

"Aye, but the lady just now said it's him. Looks similar enough."

"Is it him or not?"

"Damn it, how the hell did he pull that off?"

"I call bullshit. There's no way!"

As skepticism gave way to recognition, different expressions began to form on them.

Anger. Jealousy. Greed.

The same expressions that had been on Canoe on his men.

Bell felt his fingers twitch; the ghostly feeling of Rasaka's Fang carving through flesh was still vivid in his memory. The gruff men staring at him looked too similar to Canoe, and it was making his stomach churn.

He shouldn't have come. Not while everything was too fresh, not when he should've known that his recent record-breaking status would draw eyes to him-

Someone grabbed his hand.

It took everything he had not to suddenly throw them against the wall out of instinct, but the slight green hair in front of him was almost comforting as he picked up on the light scent of morning dew. If he had been in the right mentality at the time, he would've been stunned to have his hand once again taken by Ryuu as she abruptly led him to the countertop, passing by a gawking Anya.

"Um, Ryuu, I-"

"You look unwell, mister Cranel. You should sit down and at least eat something small before returning to your goddess." Ryuu said without looking back as he brought him to a seat in the corner next to the kitchen. "And you should at least say hello to Syr while you're here."

She wasn't asking.

Bell reluctantly sat down and tried to ignore the stares. Mama Mia stood behind the counter, wiping down a glass. But compared to the looks of the rest of the pub, a small frown of concern was aimed at him. She then looked up and glared at the rest of her customers.

"Oi! He ain't some piece of art-!" She shouted, only to pause and do a double-take of Bell's appearance. "Okay, I guess I can see it... But he ain't some show for you all to be oogling! Buzz off and get back to your drinks, or I'll take it that you're done with them!"

Bell lightly relaxed as he felt many divert their gazes, but there was still the occasional glance, not to mention all the whispering...

"So," Mia turned to him. "What's up with you, kid? You look like shit."

Why did he think it was a good idea to come to a pub full of experienced and perceptive adventurers?

"...Just a rough day." He downplayed, slightly leaning against the counter.

"Looks like a lot more than a rough day," Mia shook her head. "But I ain't gonna pry."

Bell inwardly breathed in relief.

"Can't say the same about Syr, though."

He almost groaned. Syr… curious and caring, mischievous yet sharp. If Ryuu and Mia have already seen through his mood, then Syr could too, and she wouldn't leave it as it was, like Mia did.

This was going to be exhausting…

As if knowing what he was thinking, Ryuu spoke up beside him. "Syr would be happy to speak to you, Mister Cranel, including about any… concerns."

Bell sighed. He knew she meant well, but he just couldn't, not about this.

"Bell! You're back!"

Speak of the devil, and she shall appear.

Hearing her voice almost turned his smile genuine. He truly enjoyed Ryuu's company as much as the other waitresses, but Syr always made herself stick out with who she was. Constantly trying to tease or prank him only to have it turned around, always cheering and encouraging him whenever he heads to the dungeon, trying to give him packed lunches when he insists he has his own- the girl had been nothing but a lovable friend, even with her mischievous side.

So he turned to her, eyes softening at the sight of the adorably beautiful woman who had basically bulldozed into his life. Holding a tray, she looked so happy to see him, albeit with a glint of concern in her eyes, no doubt from seeing whatever Ryuu had.

Still, he didn't want her to worry, so he opened his mouth-

(!)ALARM

[Effect: Sacred Insight has activated.]

Bell. Froze.

His mouth turned dry.

It didn't make sense.

His throat clogged as his skin turned ashen.

He didn't understand. It shouldn't be possible.

His body was locked in place, all nerves paralyzed.

And yet, no matter how much he tried to make sense of it, what he was seeing- what he was feeling wasn't changing.

Already muddled thoughts suffocated in disarray.

Because it was the same thing he had felt earlier from the most important woman in his life, an otherworldly feeling that demanded his reverence. Even though it was nearly contained, he couldn't mistake that familiar mystical glow. And this time, it was coming from Syr, of all people.

He didn't know what to do, what to think, what to feel.

Syr, the whimsical, caring girl who had only been encouraging him up to this point, even going so far as to convince him to take a grimoire just so he'd survive. A girl he had thought of as normal in any way now had something that made her anything but that.

Who is the girl who always smiles at him?

Why...?

Who is the girl who always cheered him on?

Why...!?

Who. Is. She?

Why does Syr have d̷̝͒iv̴̛̯i̷͎͐ṇ̶̛͍ḭ̸͋t̵͚̆̚y?̸̳͘