Chapter 89: Final Sprint Toward Level 2

[Name: Bell Cranel

Lv.1 → Lv.2

Attributes:

• Strength: D574 → S907

• Endurance: D597 → S921

• Dexterity: A854 → SS1034

• Agility: S901 → SS1087

• Magic: S924 → SSS1120

Magic:

"Four-Dimensional Space":

• Storage

"Lightning Command":

• Quick-Cast Magic

• Lightning Control

Skills:

"Personal Training":

• Early Bloomer

"Heaven's Luck":

• High Luck]

Looking at these nearly abnormal "Status" numbers, Hestia felt completely numb.

'Dexterity and Agility have both broken past the S rank, and Magic has reached SSS—something that theoretically shouldn't even be possible.'

'Strength and Endurance have also made remarkable progress, both stepping into S rank.'

Even the gods would feel dizzy seeing growth like this.

Moreover, Bell had already accumulated enough Excelia for an upgrade. At this point, leveling up wouldn't be a problem at all. But even Hephaestus understood—Bell's limit wasn't just S. It was beyond even what the gods had defined as the highest ceiling.

And now that he had enough great achievements to level up, the fact that he was still holding back—wasn't that just so he could push his "Status" to its absolute peak before upgrading?

'He's cautious, but steadily moving forward.'

'It won't be long before he reaches Level 2.'

'Still, this kid won't go out of his way to reveal his level.'

Hephaestus wasn't worried about Bell exposing himself too early. That simply wasn't his style.

Though this was technically against the rules, from what she knew of the Guild, a Familia with only one member pulling this kind of trick would be overlooked.

The gods didn't descend to Genkai just to make things harder for themselves. Wasn't it fine for one or two of them to dote on their children and try to protect them?

Besides, if a god only had one child in their Familia, would the Guild really back them into a corner?

Normally, the Guild wouldn't crack down too harshly on a small Familia like that.

As long as the Familia didn't expand, and the member hiding their level didn't blow their own cover, the Guild would just pretend nothing happened.

'Once he hits Level 2 and enters the Middle Floors, his Status growth might accelerate even further.'

'That's why, even if he gives up more of his profits, I hope to form a deeper bond between him and my Familia.'

Hephaestus now understood that Bell was giving up half of his profit from the magic stones to secure a better future.

A Level 2 Adventurer is classified as an upper-tier Adventurer.

And once you're Level 2, you're usually recommended for expeditions into the Middle Floors.

But monsters in the Middle Floors aren't like the ones in the Upper Floors. They're far more vicious and don't grow at the same sluggish pace.

For a Level 2 Adventurer, the Middle Floors meant far greater dangers than anything faced before.

But for someone like Bell—who was already far beyond the norm and had magic at his disposal—that danger was also a golden opportunity to grow even faster.

Still, even with enough strength, the safest move was to join a party diving into the Dungeon. That way, he could better keep a low profile.

Finding the right party was exactly why Bell was willing to give up half his earnings.

Even at Level 1, he'd already started paving the way for his future.

Hephaestus had seen many Adventurers, but Bell was something else entirely.

And she didn't dislike his cautious planning. If anything, she was eager to see just how far this boy could go.

"Great! Bell-kun, if you keep going at this pace, it won't be long before all your 'attributes' break past their limits."

Hestia was clearly the happiest one there as she looked at Bell's Status.

In just one day, his Strength and Endurance, which had been around 500, had surged past 900. At this rate, promotion wasn't far off.

"Goddess-sama, what are the specific values?"

"Strength and Endurance are at S rank. Agility and Dexterity are both at SS. Magic has even reached SSS."

Bell gave a slight nod. That growth rate was already fast enough.

'Strength and Endurance developed just as I expected.'

'Strength increases just by actively swinging a weapon, while Endurance rises when you take actual hits.'

'Though it doesn't have to be full-power attacks—you just need to manage the damage intake properly.'

At this point, Bell had fully grasped the different training methods for each stat.

His previous attribute imbalance had been due to his overly one-sided combat style. After he leveled up, he planned to fight in a more balanced way.

"With this kind of progress, I'll need a few more days to finish training all my abilities. Once I'm done, I'll level up."

Right now, the Ogres on the eighth floor were ideal for training his Status.

They still posed a certain threat. If one of their spiked clubs hit him directly, the damage would be significant.

But that was exactly why Bell could stay alert and focused—making the training even more effective.

He hadn't leveled up yet because he was still testing his limits.

Once his Status started leveling off, that would be the time to move up.

"If other adventurers in Orario heard what you just said, they'd probably lose their minds," Hephaestus joked with a smile.

"For most adventurers, S is the limit. Sure, there were some in ancient times who managed to break through, but even then, it was only one or two stats. You, on the other hand, show signs of breaking through all of them."

"Maybe I'm just lucky."

"Limits aren't decided by luck. They come down to your own quality and talent."

Hephaestus smiled gently at Bell, her gaze filled with admiration and anticipation. Clearly, Bell had already surpassed the achievements of most adventurers in history. Only a handful of heroes from ancient times could stand beside him.

"Right now, not a single child in either of Orario's two strongest Familias has broken a Status limit."

"You're the only one in Orario."

"You're also the most unique individual in Orario today."

"Your growth will undoubtedly become the most watched and most important thing in all of Orario."

"But since you've chosen to act cautiously, the number of gods watching your progress has dropped. That's a good thing for you, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

Bell answered without hesitation.

To him, staying under the radar was the best outcome.

"Less attention will help me grow better."

"I don't want to catch some god's eye and bring trouble to myself or to Goddess-sama."

"Even if it's inevitable someday, I'd rather it not happen yet."

Revealing just a part of his abilities at Level 1 was enough.

Showing too much would only cause trouble—and Bell hated trouble more than anything else.