Bell took off his shirt and lay face-down on the bed.
The divine script on his back had darkened slightly, as if recording this extraordinary day.
"Are you ready?"
The last time his Falna was updated, his growth had been mostly in single digits. Hestia didn't expect much this time either.
Of course, like all gods in the Lower World, she hoped her Familia member would grow quickly. But reality was cruel—those without the talent of an adventurer were doomed to slow progress.
Hestia had resolved to support the boy no matter what, yet having to tell him the truth about his minimal growth was still a painful task.
"I'm ready."
After hearing Bell's reply, Hestia took out a silver needle and gently pricked her finger. A drop of blood fell and spread across the divine script, rippling through the sacred markings that no mortal could comprehend.
"Bell, as cruel as it sounds, I have to tell you the truth."
Her tone was calm, carrying the weight and authority of a goddess.
"Hmm?"
"I asked around among my divine friends today. There has never been a case of someone like you—who's defeated so many monsters—only gaining single-digit increases."
As she spoke, Hestia's finger traced along his back, carefully inscribing the markings.
"I understand." Bell had already guessed as much from the gossip he'd overheard.
"Do you really understand? Being an adventurer means building up strength step by step. For you to reach the same level as others, you'll have to work several times—no, dozens of times—harder."
Her voice trembled slightly. The boy longed to be a hero. His resolve was unwavering, his heart free of doubt or fear.
And yet, the skill that had awakened within him shackled his growth instead. It wasn't a blessing—it was a curse. The cruelest one imaginable.
"I understand." Bell's tone remained calm.
"What a fool..."
Hestia suddenly stopped mid-sentence. A radiant glow spread across Bell's back as the divine script began to write out a miracle.
"Bell… your stats increased!"
"There's no need to comfort me, Goddess-sama."
"No, it's true!" Hestia hurriedly grabbed a sheet of paper and began translating the divine text into the common language, her hands moving quickly as if she couldn't contain her excitement. "Look, they really went up!"
Bell took the paper, still doubtful. But he knew Hestia would never lie about something this serious. The numbers on the page had to be real.
Bell Cranel.
Lv1
Strength: I2 → I60
Endurance: I5 → H145
Dexterity: I8 → I86
Agility: I6 → I74
Magic: I0
For convenience—and to hide the skill tied to his deepest yearning—Hestia didn't copy down the Skill or Magic sections. From the pattern of these two updates, this ability was far too abnormal. It could never be revealed to anyone else.
"It really did increase…" Bell muttered in disbelief.
"Did something happen in the Dungeon today?" Hestia asked worriedly.
"Yes. There was an accident, but there was a healer there, so I came back safely." Bell tried to ease her concern.
An adventurer's growth was tied directly to their experiences. The massive jump in Endurance was likely due to the repeated cycle of taking damage and being healed. The other increases came from his battle with the mutated goblins.
Yet compared to the meager, single-digit growth from before, this surge was so overwhelming it almost felt like a dream.
"Congratulations, Bell."
Hestia embraced the boy from behind, gently stroking his white hair. Her tone was imbued with divine grace.
Hestia understood that Bell's power shift stemmed not only from his Liaris Freese but also from today's ordeal. The boy must have endured a terrifying nightmare in the Dungeon. She didn't intend to pry for details.
If Bell found it too much to bear and chose to confess his horrifying experience, Hestia would comfort him as a goddess, embracing the youth's vulnerability. But Bell merely brushed it off lightly, emphasizing the fact that he had returned safely.
"What a fool."
Hestia murmured softly. Since Bell had gone this far, all she could do was watch over him with a smile. Not voicing her worries, not letting fear show on her face—that was the only thing Hestia could do.
Bell silently studied his stats, feeling the warmth radiating from his back.
"I've decided, Bell. As a reward, I'll give you a gift!"
Hestia stood on the bed, smiling gently.
"Huh, really?"
"Of course! Do you think I'm some penniless goddess who can't afford gifts?"
"No need to spend money. Some priceless things are better than anything bought with cash." Bell turned sideways, smiling softly.
"Priceless things?"
Hestia tilted her head, her twin ponytails drooping like rabbit ears. She met the boy's earnest gaze, blinking thoughtfully for a long moment before finally snapping out of it and plopping back onto the bed.
"Wh-what are you talking about, Bell!"
"Goddess-sama? I didn't say anything."
Hestia quickly wrapped herself in the blanket, shielding her flushed cheeks. "That... that kind of thing... is absolutely out of the question."
"Is that so? And here I was looking forward to a meal prepared by the Goddess-sama herself. Is it really out of the question?" Bell dressed and walked straight toward the sofa.
"!"
"So that's what you meant?" Hestia peeked out slightly.
"What else could it be?" Bell tucked away the papers and flopped onto the couch.
"I was talking about... No, nothing! I'm going to sleep now. Good night!"
Hestia buried herself completely under the sheets.
"Mm, good night, Goddess-sama."
Silence descended. Bell closed his eyes, recalling the increase in his stats.
According to Eina, everyone's stats fluctuated wildly during level-ups. For ordinary adventurers, advancing from Lv1 to Lv2 might only yield a few hundred points. For top-tier adventurers, at least nine hundred points were required for an upgrade to be worthwhile.
Early gains came relatively easily, but progress grew increasingly arduous. Even minor increases depended on individual talent and experience.
If this held true, Bell would need to endure countless nightmares like tonight's before reaching the threshold of heroism. For him, this thorny path stretched endlessly ahead.
Bell smiled silently, waiting indifferently for the [Nightmare] to arrive.
...
The basement remained unchanged at dawn, the magic lamp flickering with a faint glow.
"Bell, you look pale. Did you sleep well last night?" Hestia asked with concern.
"Just had a nightmare. I'm fine."
As Bell had anticipated, he had indeed dreamt of the agony of the silver lance. He had experienced something similar during his childhood training with his grandfather. This dream would likely persist for several more days.
"Don't push yourself too hard today, okay?"
"Mhm. The healer probably won't be here today. I'll be careful."
"Huh? The healer isn't coming? That Loki is so unreliable." Hestia complained mercilessly about the goddess.
"Probably."
As Syr had said, Heith had been taken back to the Familia God's base and would need several days to recover. Bell was disliked by that Familia God, making it inconvenient to approach them proactively.
Hestia slammed her hand on the table. "I remember now!"
"What's suddenly come over you, Goddess-sama?"
"Yesterday you asked why I was so happy. I was so caught up in the pay raise that I forgot the most important thing." Hestia spun around swiftly and opened the bedside cabinet.
Several test tubes filled with blue liquid came into view.
"Yesterday afternoon, some adventurers found me. They said they owed their lives to you for saving them in the dungeon. They gave me these healing potions as thanks," Hestia shoved the potions into Bell's hands. "I was genuinely thrilled. I never imagined my Bell was so outstanding."
If she was that happy, she shouldn't have forgotten about it because of the pay raise.
Bell watched Hestia's innocent, radiant smile and decided against making a snide remark.
Healing potions seemed a rather meager token of gratitude, but for Bell's current situation, they were incredibly useful.
He picked up the potion, studying the faint blue glow within the glass. After examining it closely for a moment:
"Goddess-sama, this healing potion seems different from the one I bought a few days ago?"