Chapter 95: Officially Ascending to Level 2

One of Orario's Twin Kings—Loki Familia.

A faction powerful enough to disrupt the balance yet strong enough to intimidate the entire city. That's why Bell had no other choice.

"Bell, have you forgotten what you're doing right now?"

Hearing the voice of his Goddess-sama from behind, Bell blinked, suddenly remembering—he was still in the middle of a status update.

"Apologies, Goddess-sama. Our conversation just touched on something I had to think about."

"Really now... even if it was something important, you can't forget you're in the middle of a status update!"

Suppressing the slight sourness in her chest, Hestia refocused. After all, updating a status wasn't something to take lightly.

"Well then, Bell-kun, can we confirm your level-up now?"

"Yes. I'll leave it to you."

Once the level-up was confirmed, Hestia began the ritual—something only a Familia's head god could perform.

Bell's level rose from 1 to 2.

Along with it, his "Divine attribute boost" increased as well.

He had been paying close attention to every change, and at that very moment, he could feel his body undergo a subtle transformation. His blood flowed faster, and his heartbeat grew stronger.

He also noticed the invisible shackles on his body seemed to loosen, and even his breathing became more efficient.

'So this is the effect of leveling up?'

'No wonder hitting Level 10 earns you the title of demigod—leveling up literally elevates your very existence.'

Now he understood why reaching Level 10 granted a life span on par with the gods.

Adventurers don't just gain overwhelming strength out of nowhere upon leveling up.

Power comes through training and accumulation. The level-up ceremony alone doesn't conjure power from thin air.

The water in a vessel doesn't magically increase—what the ceremony does is expand the vessel's size, allowing it to hold more.

And when that vessel is filled again, it's time for the next level-up.

Everything Bell was feeling now stemmed from the increase in his capacity. On this expanded foundation, he could further dig into his potential—filling the newly enlarged vessel to the brim.

"Development Abilities... there's so many!"

The ceremony might've ended, but the status update wasn't done yet.

Upon leveling up, there's a chance to gain a Development Ability—something beyond basic "Attributes," marking deeper growth in a specific direction.

For instance, only by gaining the "Blacksmith" Development Ability can a smith become a true craftsman. Without it, they'd remain just a regular blacksmith.

It can be said that Development Abilities determine an Adventurer's future path, so making the right choice is crucial.

[Development Abilities: Swordsman, Fist Fighter, Mage, Initiative, Healing, Strong Defense, Strong Body, Chain Attack, Mystery, Abnormal Resistance, Spirit Healing, Mixing, Stealth.]

That's quite the luxurious list—nearly every Development Ability an Adventurer could possibly choose from.

"Even Mystery is on there."

Hestia hadn't expected Bell to show compatibility with Mystery.

In Orario, only a handful of Adventurers possess the Development Ability "Mystery," and each one has carved out a name for themselves.

"It probably has something to do with those Rune Stones Bell made."

Hephaestus wasn't particularly surprised by Mystery. For someone capable of creating those absurd Rune Stones, it was no wonder Bell had a natural affinity for it.

The other Development Abilities also closely aligned with Bell's individual aptitudes.

Still, gaining so many potential abilities upon his first level-up just showed how much potential Bell truly had.

'I wonder which path this child will choose?'

Bell had a high affinity with all of them, but only one Development Ability could be chosen per level-up.

Unlocking a Development Ability on his first level-up was undoubtedly a blessing.

The real question was which direction to take.

"Bell, which one do you want to choose?"

As Goddess-sama listed each Development Ability, Bell immediately locked onto his choice.

"Stealth."

I knew it!

The moment they saw that last ability on the list, both Hestia and Hephaestus had a hunch that this would be Bell's choice—and they were right.

Stealth was undoubtedly one of the rarer abilities. At least as far as Hestia knew, no Adventurer in Orario possessed it.

Needless to say, Bell's compatibility with this ability clearly stemmed from his habit of acting independently.

"Alright."

Though Hestia didn't fully understand what the "Stealth" Development Ability actually did, she respected Bell's decision.

And with that, his stats were updated.

[Name: Bell Cranel

Lv. 2

Development Ability: Stealth I

Attributes:

Strength: I0

Endurance: I0

Dexterity: I0

Agility: I0

Magic: I0

Magic:

"Four-dimensional Space":

· Storage

"Lightning Command":

· Quick-Cast Magic

· Controls Lightning

Skills:

"Personal Training":

· Early Bloomer

"Heaven's Luck":

· High Luck

"The Poor Man's Desire":

· Accumulate Power]

All his base stats reset to their initial values. The strength he had accumulated at Lv. 1 wasn't erased but instead preserved within his body as a hidden ability.

An increase in capacity meant he would need to build up his basic stats again from scratch.

This was completely normal.

But what caught Hestia's attention was the new skill added to his status panel after leveling up.

[The Poor Man's Desire: The weak long for the strength of the powerful, yearning for the day they too can possess such extraordinary might.]

[Note: Grants the ability to store power for future actions.]

Though the entry was simple, there was a lot hidden behind those few words.

'The weak long for the strength of the powerful…'

'I didn't think Bell-kun saw himself that way.'

Just from the wording, Hestia could clearly see the depth of Bell's desire for strength.

The fact that he had turned that yearning into an actual skill said it all.

But Hestia didn't believe Bell was weak anymore.

He was already walking the path forward—not a weakling, but a challenger.

Still, she could tell Bell hadn't realized that himself yet.

Even so, gaining a skill like this was definitely a good thing.