Level up.

Midday.

The sun above Orario had just reached its peak height and was shining brightly in the sky.

Temperature was high, probably over thirty-nine degrees but the people here had long gotten used to this and weren't bothered anymore.

Streets are still thriving, filled with people moving hear and there. Some kids in many different races are running between the narrow streets of Northwest Main.

Meanwhile, under the maple tree across the abandoned church--------the five people's meeting was about to end.

The ice-cream session that everyone obviously loved was over, the wooden box and glass bowls are put on the side. After a few more small conversations, mostly asking about random things here and there, it was now time to say goodbye.

" This is... ? "

Bell has a confused expression on his face, looking at the huge sack in front of him. Aiz has been carrying this sack of unknown content since they first arrived this morning and she's now giving it to him.

" Drop items. " Aiz replied, still wearing the same emotionless expression on her beautiful face. " Only the more valuable ones. "

" That's right. Y-You can't expect us to loot all of those monsters' corpses for you okay? We only took the slightly valuable ones and then burned the rest. " Lefiya added, she put more emphasis on the word 'burned' do some reason.

In the dungeon, all monster corpses, especially their magic stones must be dealt with properly. It's an unwritten rule that every adventurers must follow.

Because if not, the other monsters that will respawn later will feast on those magic stones and might evolve into a stronger and slightly intelligent one. The more magic stones a monster eats, the stronger and more cunning it will become.

Like that abnormal orc that Bell had encountered inside the pantry for example. Though it's slightly weaker than a Minotaur, that orc undoubtedly has a strength of a level two monsters in middle floors. That along with its higher intelligence didn't make it any less dangerous than a Minotaur itself. The fact that it successful sneaked on Bell was the huge proof of that.

The only reason he survived that dangerous attack was because of Bell's high level of skills and luck.

That's why it's very important to deal with all the slain monsters properly. It's an unwritten rule that every adventurers in Orario has to follow.

" Ohh.. "

Bell was already expecting the worst case scenario------- that he will not see those loots again. He still has this idea inside his head, of him coming to that pantry again after two days. Just to see things out and to look for items he can still salvage somehow. But it seems like he didn't have to do that anymore.

Though it's very unfortunate losing majority of those loots that he really did worked hard for, at least he survived and was able to come back alive. That's the most important.

And now, seeing that he still can get a part of it made him feel a bit better.

" I understand. " Bell said with a nod. The fact that these girls had bothered bringing back some of those loots instead of directly burning it all to save themselves from trouble was more than enough already.

After all, Aiz, Lefiya and Leene. These three young women aren't your everyday normal adventurers, they are from one of the strongest familia in Orario. Who would have the privilege to make these girls to willingly loot monster corpses for them?

None.

Bell was undoubtedly the first and it only happened after a series of unforeseen circumstances. From a naive white haired boy who daringly challenge dungeon pantry filled with monsters by himself, to a horde of Minotaurs that have runaway from the Loki familia, to their seemed to be faithful meeting..

A series of events that somehow interconnected with each other, producing such results.

As for why did these three young women did that, Bell didn't have the slightest idea. And it doesn't really matter for him, because whatever the reason was will not change the fact that they saved his life. And he's very grateful for that.

" I will repay this favor back in the future. If there's anything I can do to help, just tell me. " Bell said all of these words with full sincerity. Only the time will tell how heavy these few words of promise really are, not only to Loki familia but to the entire Orario itself.

Hearing his words, Aiz lips slightly parted, her bright golden eyes showed a hint of hesitation. She wanted to say something but chose to stay silent in the end. Lefiya also didn't speak anymore.

With a nod, she and Lefiya turned around and walked towards Loki who'd just finished bickering with Hestia.

And with that, the three of them finally took their leave. But not until Loki made Bell promised to make another box of alcoholic ice cream for her next time.

In the end, none of those three made their purpose of coming here clear. Bell refused to believe that it's simply because they wanted to give him his loots. Perhaps that the case for Lefiya, but definitely not for Loki and Aiz.

Bell saw the hesitation on the blonde girl's eyes like she wanted to say something but was very hesitant to say it out loud. Loki on the other hand keeps on observing and probing him from time to time. Like as if she wanted to find out something.

Whatever they are really after, Bell didn't see or feel anything wrong with it so he just let them be.

***

Inside the abandoned church's basement.

Bell was lying on the bed, face down with his goddess sitting on his back. With all their guests gone, it's now time to continue updating Bell's status. To level him up.

A small spear of azure lights, numbers and hieroglyphs were floating in front of Hestia as she seriously works her fingers on it.

After awhile..

" Done! " Hestia cheerfully announced. Giving another parchment to bell, she added. " Congratulations Bell, you are now level two! "

Bell simply smiled, accepting the parchment from Hestia. " Thank you Goddess. "

" Mn. Aah! Just a moment, Bell. I'm not done yet! "

" Hmm? "

Bell was about to get up when Hestia suddenly stopped him by pinning him, pushing both of his shoulder down.

" I haven't locked up your status yet. Stay still for a moment. "

" Oh.. You finally learned how to do that, Goddess? "

" Of course. Hephaestus taught me last tim-..... Eh? You know about this already, Bell? "

" Well.... yes. " Bell paused for a moment but still answered truthfully.

" Why did you not tell me then? I should have long locked up your insane status if you'd told me about this before. " she grumpily said.

Hestia had long been bothered by Bell's insane growth so when she learned that the status can be locked up or hidden she felt really glad. Who would have thought that Bell had known about this for a long time now. And worst, he never once told her about it at all!

" Well, it's not like I know how to do it either, Goddess. I just happened to heard it before and somehow forgotten it. " He bullshit without batting an eye. He can feel Hestia's sharp gaze from his back so he chose to remain silent.

Hestia stares at Bell for a few moments before before she finally returned her focus on his back.

Status lock.

It was Hestia's first time doing this so it took her over five minutes to complete it. Once she's done, the falna on Bell's back completely disappeard------- only the smooth pale skin remained there.

" Hmm... Not bad for your first try, Goddess. " Bell complimented while looking at his back in front of a mirror.

Hestia has this proud smile on her lips, her arms crossed under her plump breast. " Tee-Hee-Hee. I did worked hard for it. "

The two of them then returned to the bed and Bell finally looked at his new status.

[ STATUS ]

Name : Bell Cranel.

Level : 2

Strength : I 0

Defense : I 0

Dexterity : I 0

Agility : I 0

Magic : I 0 [ Grimoire ]

Chant : None

• Records of magic.

• ????

• ????

• ????

Skill/s : [ Light Purification ] - Removes all debuffs and heal wounds.

Advanced Skill/s : I [ Luck ]

" Mn. This is perfect. " Bell nodded satisfyingly at his new status.

He's level 2 now. But Bell can't feel any major difference inside body, aside from feeling a little lighter, there's nothing more.

" Why did you not choose [ Forge ] as your advanced skill, Bell? Didn't you say that you also wanted to forge weapons before? "

Bell had gotten three options in his Advanced Skill. The [ Forge ] , [ Synthesis ] and the one he chose in the end, [ Luck ].

" Aren't the one who suggested that I should choose this? I'm only following what you said, Goddess. " Bell playfully replied. This answer of his brought a frown on Hestia's spotless forehead.

" Following my suggestion? You've never did that before. "

" Ha-ha. You're so bad, Goddess. Well... it's actually because.... " Bell then put on his shirt again. A proud smile slowly crept on his face. " Whether it's Forging or Alchemy, I don't need any advanced skills to them. "

O.-.0

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