Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (11 page)

Trust and worry fought for control of her decision. But no matter how many reasons she thought of to trust Bell, worry kept winning out.

But if I don’t give him the real status, I’ll be lying to him…

That would interfere with Bell’s growth.

If he didn’t know what he was capable of, he’d fight enemies he had no business crossing blades with every day. What would this do to his status if he survived? Excelia tended to accumulate faster when the person fought against an opponent stronger than themselves.

No matter how good it would make her feel, lying to Bell now would be no different that personally cutting a hole in his hopes and dreams with her own two hands.

For a brief moment, Hestia did not think. There was only silence within her heart.

In the end, she chose to trust him.

Fighting back the “what if” with self control, she forced the scale to tip.

He was doing something that the gods could not change. It was well within her power to give him a push in the form of his status.
“I want to be strong.”
Even if his motivation came from feelings for another, he had made up his mind.

“Bell, is it okay if I just tell you your status today?”

“Um, sure. That’s fine with me.”

Bell looked up over his shoulder as she told him how many points he had grown.

But she left out the part about his skill, Realis Phrase.

It’s a rare skill, for sure.

Most skills were fairly common and had similar effects among adventurers.

While it was not fully understood how skills were acquired, the skills that had been confirmed to exist had different names and effects. It was still fairly easy to find another adventurer with something similar.

Furthermore, members of specific races tended to have similar skill sets. Many elves had skills that increased magic; dwarves usually had skills that improved their physical strength.

There were many different types of skills with various outcomes for all types of races. However, when an extremely low number of adventurers possessed a certain skill, it was considered a “rare skill.”

The gods referred to it as such.

If he knew, things would get ugly…

She wasn’t keeping the information about his skill away from him out of spite.

Sure, her jealously of Wallensomething was 70 percent (maybe 90 percent) of her reasoning, but there were other circumstances that were keeping her lips sealed.

Gods and goddesses were here to have fun. When news of a “rare” or “original” skill reached their ears, they pursued it like kids in a candy store. Their sparkling eyes went wide open. A little bit of drool oozed out of their mouths.

Some of the more foolish gods might even try to get the skill’s possessor into his or her own
Familia
, ignoring the current blessing altogether.

Just playing a game.

Bell isn’t good at lying. He’ll tell anyone about his skill if they ask. Word will travel fast. So, just this one thing, I’ll keep to myself.

The skill increased growth under certain conditions.

Realis Phrase was without a doubt an undocumented skill.

Hestia decided to protect Bell from the other gods by locking this secret deep within her mind.

Bell’s jaw dropped as Hestia told him what was written on his
back—other than his skill, of course. Hestia put the finishing touches on the hieroglyphs. It was the one thing she could do to help him.

“So, yeah. You grew quite a lot this time. Do you know why?”

“No… not really… Ah!”

“Yes?”

“Well… the other night I went down to the lower sixth floor…”

“
Huh? W-what?
Are you
crazy
?! What were you thinking? And with no armor?!?”

“I-I’m sorry!”

Hestia jumped to her feet and stood over him, glaring. She released a torrent of scolding and reprimands onto Bell, still shirtless on the bed.

“The point is, I don’t know exactly why, but you are growing at an alarming rate. I don’t know how long this will last or how high you’ll go. Let’s call it a growth spurt.”

“U-understood!”

“… This is just my opinion, but I think you have great potential. You have talent and great instincts as an adventurer.”

That skill couldn’t be the only reason Bell had done this well so far.

It was only the spark that allowed him to grow so quickly.

There had been many indications of what he was really capable of doing.

A farm boy from the countryside with no teacher had survived near-death situations while prowling the Dungeon alone every day.

The skill Realis Phrase raised the basic status. It didn’t teach how to attack, when to block or dodge. Only real experience in battle could do that. Even if he didn’t have the skill, he was the only one who could make those decisions in combat. That was his true strength.

The fact that Bell had survived alone this long showed he had talent.

“… You will get stronger. And I want you to get even stronger than you are now.”

“… Yes.”

Bell sat up and looked into Hestia’s eyes. She crossed her arms and looked back down at him.

She put all her heart into her next words.

“… I want you to promise me that you won’t try to do too much. I want you to swear that you won’t repeat the other night.”

“I—”

“Your will to get stronger is amazing, and I respect you for it. I will encourage you, support you, help you in any way I can… So.”

Her eyes glistened as tears started to flow. She pleaded with all of her being.

“… Please don’t leave me alone.”

Her pleas had an immediate effect.

Bell’s shoulders sank as he looked upon her. His face was deep in thought, as though he was remembering another promise he had kept. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Stillness filled the air. For the two of them, it was a long silence.

“… I promise.”

Bell raised his head.

His face looked pitiful, about to cry, but also happy and about to burst at the seams all at the same time.

There was not a hint of deceit in his smile. For Hestia, this face was far more trustworthy than any words.

Now, she was sure that this boy was worthy of her trust.

“I won’t try too hard. I’ll do my best to get stronger… But I will not leave you behind or make you worry. You will not be alone.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I can relax now.”

Fighting off the urge to jump into his arms, Hestia smiled at the boy.

She picked up his shirt from the floor and gave it to him. He said a quick “Thank you.” She looked up at the ceiling as he changed.

… I’m so happy!

There was something she could do for him.

Her feet thumped on the warped flooring as she ran to a shelf in the kitchen. Most of the shelf was used for cookware, but she went to a box in the center and threw it open. Her hand flew around blindly
as she fumbled for something hidden inside. Pulling the box down, she looked past the flyers and paperwork for her part-time job and found what she was looking for.

She grabbed an invitation entitled G
ANESHA’S
C
ELEBRATION OF THE
G
ODS
.

Hephaistos will be there, right?

The face of the friend and goddess who found this room popped into Hestia’s mind.

Getting in touch with Hephaistos was never easy because she was always working and traveling to many places around the city.

Hestia decided to use this party as an opportunity to see her friend in person.

The party started… tonight.

“Ah!” came out of her mouth as she quickly looked around. “Bell, I’m going to be out tonight. Maybe for a few days. That okay?”

“Eh? Ah, I understand. Something for work?”

“Nope. I wasn’t really interested at first, but some of my closest friends are going to a party. I’m thinking I’ll go and say hi. It’s been too long since I have seen everyone.”

“Then by all means, go!” Bell said with a smile. Friends were important. He had no reason to refuse.

Hestia felt bad for bringing this up out of the blue, but she smiled back and walked to the closet. None of her clothes were really appropriate for the event, but she grabbed the best dress she had and put it in her travel bag. A few more odds and ends and she was ready to go. All that was left was to request someone to cover her shift at work. She’d do that on the way.

She was almost out the door when she thought of one last thing.

“Bell, are you going to the Dungeon today?”

“I’m planning to, yes… Should I not?”

He had just made that promise. He timidly looked up at the goddess, expecting another lecture to hit him like a brick wall.

“No, it’s okay, go ahead. But be extra careful, okay? You are still recovering, remember?”

“I will! Thank you!”

Bell looked so happy with dimples in his cheeks. He nodded to Hestia as she set out.

The sun’s rays stretch across the sky.

It’s late morning. Good time for a jog down Main Street. There are a lot of people out enjoying this nice weather.

I left the room not long after the goddess. Got my armor this time! On my way to the Dungeon now.

Yeah, the goddess was right. My knee is not happy. Whatever sixth-level monster got me had one hell of an arm. It’ll take some time to get back to normal.

Just another reason not to push it. No adventures for me. If I screw up, I’m heading home ASAP. But I’ll focus and do my best no matter what.

Ah, there it is. The Dungeon is still a bit far away, though. Up until a few days ago, I was impatient and would have run all the way there. But not now.

The goddess calmed me down quite a bit. My head is clear. All I need to do now is go forward as fast as I can.

It will take time, but this is the fastest way to catch up with Ms. Wallenstein. Keep going to the Dungeon, keep getting stronger. All efforts bear fruit eventually, right?

I can still hear the goddess saying, “Don’t do too much.” With the goddess’s words in my head, my feet stop in front of “that” place.

Yeah, there is something I have to do before going to the Dungeon today.

“This might be a little rough…”

Closed, huh…

I scratch my head as I think this over.

Got to face the music sometime, might as well be now. Just need to get a foot in the door.

Ding-ding.
A bell rings as I peek my head through the entrance of The Benevolent Mistress.

“I am awfully sorry, sir, but we are not open just yet. Can I ask you to return in a few hours?”

“Nyow, Mia’s bar isn’t open nyet!”

An elf and a cat person were busy setting up tablecloths. They still responded to me right away.

They’re both very cute. Wearing the same uniform as Syr, there is no other way to describe them than simply pretty young ladies. I guess I have a thing for elves and their pointy ears because just hearing her voice has made me nervous.

“I’m sorry to intrude, but I’m not a customer. Is… um… Syr Flover here? And the owner, too.”

“Kyaaaaa! The dine-and-dasher from before, nya! The one who came to give Syr an offering, nyand then abandoned her at the table, nya! That white-haired kid!! Nya nya!”

“You will be silent.”

“Bnyya?”

“I apologize for my coworker. I will retrieve Syr and Mama Mia right away.”

“Th-thanks…”

I didn’t even see the elf move.

She just suddenly had the catgirl by the collar and dragged her away. Elegant, fast, refined… It’s enough to make me sweat. There they go up the stairs. It’s too quiet in here now.

I remember this place feeling like a bar. Now it looks and feels more like a café. Maybe they change the restaurant during the day? Adventurers are in the Dungeon, so they’re trying to appeal to regular townsfolk?

Café… That’s right. There’s a terrace here, isn’t there? They thought of everything.

“Bell?!”

Thump-thump-thump.
Behind me, pattering feet. Ah, it’s Syr, and she’s running down the stairs?!

What would I give to just dig a hole and bury myself right here?
Then I wouldn’t have to face her. That’s not going to happen. Man up, you can do this. You can start by walking up to meet her. That’s it.

“I’m very sorry for what happened the other day. I didn’t pay—”

“… No, no, it’s okay now. I’m happy that you came back.”

She’s giggling? I should look up. I might be bowing a bit too low.

She’s not even asking me why? Look at her, her arms open, a warm smile on her face. I could cry right here. No, tears, go back! Oh! I can act like some dirt or something got in them. Good cover! Okay, the money is in my backpack… There!

“Here, this should cover the food I ate. If that isn’t enough, I can pay more…”

“I would never say it isn’t enough! Your coming back is enough for me… And I’m sorry, too.”

“You don’t have to apologize…” Her words are too nice. All right, how about a handshake. Nice firm shake, ahhhh that might have been a bit too strong…

Yeah, she’s rolling her shoulder… But she’s laughing! Oh, what a relief!

She’s smiling with her eyes! I’m so glad she’s forgiven me! Hey, wait, where’s she going? She looked like she remembered something important, and now she’s disappeared into the back room…