Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

LV.1

Strength: I77→I82 Endurance: I13 Dexterity: I93→I96 Agility: H148→H172 Magic: 10

"magic"

【】

"Skill"

【】

This is a summary of the [ability values] recorded on my back.

The basic abilities—"Strength," "Endurance," "Dexterity," "Agility," and "Magic"—are five in total, further subdivided into ten stages: S, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I, representing the level of ability. The higher the stage, the more our ability is enhanced.

The number under the "I" is called proficiency. For example, 0-99 is "I", 100-199 is "H", and so on, which are linked to the stage of basic ability. By the way, the upper limit is 999. The more frequently you use each ability, the more your proficiency will increase. However, it is said that the closer you get to the maximum value of 999—an ability rating of "S"—the slower your growth rate will be.

The most important thing is LV. Each LV increase grants a boost to basic abilities. It's said the degree of enhancement can even be described as "physical and mental evolution." In fact, there is an absurd power difference between LV.1 and LV.2. Just like when I, at LV.1, encountered a Minotaur classified as LV.2, I was utterly defeated.

Simply put, as long as your LV. increases, you will become incredibly powerful.

The gods call this phenomenon "leveling up".

...Hmm? This dungeon exploration increased "Strength," "Dexterity," and "Agility"...How come "Agility" increased so much! From H148 to H172, that's an increase of 24!

Is it because he was being chased around by the Minotaur...?

This proficiency system requires the use of the skill for that skill; otherwise, the basic ability will not change. For example, to increase the proficiency of "Endurance," one must withstand enemy attacks, but I always dodge, so it doesn't increase at all.

I've heard that armor or weapons can increase defense, but I just can't help but avoid them. Because I'm a little afraid of pain.

"…God, when do you think I'll be able to learn magic?"

"I don't know either. I think it's mainly affected by knowledge-related [experience points], but... Bell, you weren't reading a book, were you?"

"Yes……"

When someone's abilities are imprinted by a deity, the most important thing for anyone is whether they will be able to use magic.

Before the gods descended to the mortal realm, magic was the prerogative of certain races. However, the gods' "blessing" made it possible for anyone to learn magic.

The number of magical manifestations is fixed, a minimum of one and a maximum of three. Generally, only one type of magic can be used at a time. It's said that if someone can use two types of magic, that alone makes them highly sought after among their companions.

That's how important magic is. In ancient legends, an elf manipulated the wind and swept away a hundred humans: in other words, magic is the ultimate trump card, a sure-fire way to turn the tide of battle.

It's obvious, really. How could someone with just a sword possibly defeat an opponent capable of creating a sea of ​​fire? That's the gist of it.

Judging from my [ability stats], I only have one magic slot, so I can only use one type of magic in the future... Hmm?

"Hey, what happened to this skill slot? It looks like it's been erased..."

"...Um, that's right, I accidentally wrote it wrong. It's still a blank space, just like before, don't worry."

"I think so too—..." That gave me a moment of anticipation.

"Skills" are independent of [Ability Values] values; they are abilities that can bring special effects or functions to the body under fixed conditions. If [Ability Values] can strengthen a vessel, then "Skills" are abilities that can cause special chemical reactions within that vessel.

Although it doesn't have the dazzling, visible effects of magic, I've heard that most of its effects are beneficial and harmless. ...That doesn't seem to mean it's entirely beneficial.

After rechecking the updated [ability values], I looked up at the clock on the wall, then turned to the deity.

"So, God, shouldn't we be preparing dinner? Even if we're having a fries party, we can't just eat fries, can we?"

"Hmm, let Bell handle it."

"good--"

I turned my back to the smiling deity and headed towards the kitchen. Although I could only cook simple dishes, as Miss Eina had said, starting today I should try to increase income and reduce expenses…

Feeling the gaze of the gods behind me, I mustered my energy and began to think about saving money in the future.

✟

Hestia watched Bell enter the kitchen with the air of someone on the battlefield, and sighed quietly.

She picked up the [Ability Value] record sheet that Bell had just questioned, and looked at the words on the paper and the boy's back.

(Children are so fickle... so different from us who are unchanging.)

Even the smallest, most trivial things can immediately affect one's physical and mental well-being.

Perhaps the essence of those inhabitants of the lower realm lies not in desires or culture, but in "degeneration".

(...Ugh—how awful. I can't stand the fact that Bell has been changed by someone else. I don't want to accept it!)

She ran her hands through her dark hair, making a mess of it.

"Damn it." Hestia muttered, clutching her head with both hands, before glancing at Bell's retreating figure.

To be precise, it's about looking at the [Ability Values] engraved on his back—specifically, the skill bar.

Bell Craney

LV.1

Strength: I77→I82 Endurance: I13 Dexterity: I93→I96 Agility: H148→H172 Magic: 10

"magic"

【】

"Skill"

【Heartfelt longing】

·precocious.

• Maintains the effect while simultaneously expressing feelings of longing

The stronger the longing, the greater the effect.

It was only then that Hestia began to regret taking out the seemingly promising [Experience Points] and personally engraving this skill into her [Ability Points].

Book 1, Chapter 2: So, I must run.

"……Um."

The base of the [Hestia Familia], a hidden room in the church.

In this place, which is underground and where birdsong is not heard in the morning, I still sensed the arrival of morning and woke up at my scheduled wake-up time.

This is because I was born in a rural hometown where I developed the habit of being woken up early in the morning to work in the fields, which led to the development of a biological clock in my stomach.

(...Five o'clock, just right.)

However, I still turned my head on the sofa to check the clock hanging on the wall.

The "Magic Stone Lamp," invented using magic stone technology, emits a faint, phosphorescent light from the ceiling, preventing the room from being completely dark despite its underground location. The surrounding scenery can still be clearly seen with the naked eye.

Regarding the human technology used to create this "magic stone lamp," the gods once remarked, "Their hands are truly skillful." Even the gods praised it in this way, which shows just how amazing this magic stone artifact, which was hailed as a "great invention of the century" when it was invented, truly was.

After having a small party with my sweetheart yesterday, I, as usual, let her sleep in my bed and then slept on the sofa instead. It was quite cramped, but I'm used to it.

I blinked a few times, about to get up to wash my face... when I suddenly realized something.

Besides the sheet, there was something round against me. It was very light. Because it was so light, I didn't even notice it.

I reached out my hand towards the round object, full of suspicion... and immediately understood. It was a deity.

She buried her face in my chest and fell fast asleep. I was startled at first, then immediately gave a wry smile.

(Was she still half asleep...?)

At first I was curious, then I started to rack my brains.

I'm confident I can leave the sofa without waking the gods, but how should I put it? I don't really want to let go of this warm, cuddly thing. This has surpassed even the most luxurious throw pillows; it's truly a masterpiece.

No matter how powerful the weapons or items other [Familia] possess, I dare say there are absolutely no better items than this. The gods are truly amazing.

Although I was terrified, I couldn't help but gently hug her. A soft, yielding sensation came over me.

Oh no, this is bad. I really won't want to leave.

The fairy exuded a pleasant fragrance, and her expression was completely relaxed. "Hmm..." She moved her body slightly, and then rubbed her face against my chest like a baby.

Oh my god, so cute...

As I was struggling internally—the goddess's twin peaks made a squeezing sound, and those overwhelmingly massive spheres flattened me.

From that moment on, my actions were swift as lightning. I immediately moved the deity who had turned from a divine artifact into poison away, laid her in the spot where I had been lying, and escaped from the sofa.

(A deity almost killed me...!)

This is the first time I've ever felt a sense of awe towards deities.

If I had been a second later, I might have stopped breathing.

I covered the deity with the sheet and hurriedly prepared to leave. I felt I couldn't stay any longer. But after calming down and thinking it over carefully, I realized how foolish I had been; how could I have been so disrespectful to a deity?

I immediately stepped out of the room and left quietly.

"...Bell, that idiot. Ugh."

(Something like this first thing in the morning...)

My sigh melted into the slightly chilly morning air.

I walked alone on the street, which had a different feel from midday. The avenue, now free of its hustle and bustle, seemed especially wide. The stone shops lining both sides of the road all had their iron gates tightly shut.

The eastern sky was already tinged with white light. Although it was early morning, there were already a few scattered figures: Palum tending his stall, and groups of dwarves like myself, adventurers, discussing something. Perhaps they were heading to the dungeon later.

I also put on the equipment needed to enter the dungeon and escaped from the gods... well, I meant I left the room, so in the eyes of others, I probably looked about the same as them.

"Ah—I haven't had breakfast yet..."

Hearing a "gurgling" sound coming from inside my body, I walked along listlessly, rubbing the area around my navel.

This is a real headache; my stomach is empty. I'm starving.

It seems I need to deal with this hunger pang first, otherwise I won't be able to concentrate on exploring the dungeon.

Although I only decided to save money yesterday, and I really don't want to make an exception today, I have no choice but to buy something...

"...!"

I suddenly turned around.

Stand still and look behind you.

...I have a bad feeling. Although I'm not some amazing adventurer who can detect killing intent or even the slightest aura, it seems like someone is watching me?

It's a feeling of skin being violated. Like that uncompromising gaze when you're appraising an item—it's something not everyone can learn.

A lone shop assistant tidying up the outdoor café in preparation for opening, a pair of orcs gathered in a corner of an alley, a girl overlooking the main street from the second floor of a shop… In this scene, my gaze darted back and forth between the moving figures. I was almost flustered, circling around and looking around.

In this still-sleepy shopping street, there wasn't a single suspicious figure. Instead, I stood in the middle of the avenue, enduring the strange looks from everyone, but I had no energy to care.

Did I make a mistake...?

Listening to the persistent heartbeat in my ears, I couldn't help but look utterly bewildered.

"that……"

"!"

The sound from behind made me turn around instantly, becoming alert. To others, it would certainly seem like I was overreacting.

The one who called out to me was a girl, a human being just like me.

She was wearing a white blouse and a light leaf-colored vest skirt that reached below her knees, with a longer apron tied over the skirt.

Her dull, light gray hair was tied into a bun at the back of her head, with a single tail hanging down. It was somewhat like a variation of a ponytail. Her eyes, the same color as her hair, looked innocent and adorable. Her skin was as soft and delicate as milk, and she seemed surprised to see my wary reaction.

An ordinary citizen who is clearly harmless... What am I doing?!

"I'm so sorry! I was just startled...!"

"No, it's alright, I scared you..."

I quickly apologized, and the other person actually bowed their head and apologized as well. I felt so bad.

She seemed to be a little older than me, or maybe only a year or two younger.

Is this the same lady I saw earlier, the one preparing to open her shop at the outdoor cafe? I saw her struggling to move tables all by herself…

"Is there...is there something you need?"

"Ah...yes. You dropped this."