DanMachi: A Day In The Dungeon

The New Skill

A strange glow fluttered around his hand, sparkling bright blue. "What..?"

A chime was heard from an unknown origin, then more heavy footsteps approached. What met the boy was three more of the man-bulls, carrying the same stone axes as their recently deceased brother.

Without hesitation, Bell launched a Firebolt at the center bull, but rather than the standard gust of red flame, a beam of pure blue heat shot from his palm. The spell knocked him back as a large explosion detonated, turning all three of the Minotaurs into nothing more than their soul stones. He scrambled to his feet, panting from the strength required for his attack.

Each stone clinked as they tumbled around in his bag as he started to leave, retracing his steps to return to the exit, albeit a slowed pace. Civilians noticed the bloody arm which hung low as it dripped periodically, but didn't bother to help.

Fortunately for Bell, his advisor, Eina Tulle, had seen his condition and rushed to his aid. "Bell! What happened in there!?" She yelled in worry, only to recieve a quiet response.

"A Minotaur... but I killed it.. More came too, but they're dead now..."

Eina ushered the boy inside of the Guild headquarters and prepared a small kit, wrapping badages around his wounds and other places that could harbor more. "Well.. at least you're alive, that's what matters most. I'll cash in your magic stones, okay?"

With a nod, Bell removed his backpack and handed it to her, which then was moved to the hooded clerk near the entrance to the small building outside of the dungeon. The purple rocks hit the drawer with a thud, closing momentarily before opening again, containing a hefty bag of valis.

"One hundred, fifty thousand valis. Have a nice day." The hooded figure mumbled, waiting for another adventurer to stop by and recieve payment.

Eina dropped the bag directly on the table between her and Bell, taking a seat. "You made a lot, so you'll definitely have enough for your familia, I'm sure of it."

The boy slouched forward in his seat on the opposite couch, dragging the bag closer to him. "I'll need another set of armor.. maybe I can get one from Mr. Crozzo. I'm sorry, Miss Eina, but I can't stay long... I need to get going..." He stood up and sheepishly made his way to the doors to leave, his advisor doing nothing to stop him, but rather accept his decision. Bell walked along the empty streets as the sun had been setting, stars being the only light in the sky.

The sounds of music and laughter was heard nearby, marking his distance from The Hostess of Fertility. He was close, but despite his promise to Syr, he didn't want to worry her with his current condition. He stood outside and gazed at the sign hanging from the front, breaking his stare when the woman quietly stepped out to greet him.

"Hey Bell, I'm glad you could- oh my... are you alright!?" She descended the few steps and closed the distance between them, concerned more than ever.

"I'm fine, Miss Syr... I just had a bad day, that's all. I wanted to stop by though, like I promised."

The two stood in silence for moments that seemed to last forever, until the barmaid hugged him tightly. "At least you're alive, that's what matters..." She released him, looking up and smiling at him. "Are you staying to eat for a bit before going back home?"

"No... sorry. I have to go back home." He frowned, letting his shoulders sink and his head hang low.

Syr only shook her head, gently placing a hand over the bangages on his head. "It's fine, don't worry about it. Just make it home safe, okay?"

The boy only nodded, accepting a second hug and giving a small wave as he began to leave. Bell examined the bandages on his arm as he proceeded to return home, blood starting to change the color from white to red while began to feel weaker, each step slower than the last.

He took several alleys and various other shortcuts to reach the outskirts of the city, descending a long set of cobblestone stairs.

Standing outside of Hearth Home was the diety who had stayed home, leaning against the door and staring down at her feet. The footsteps in the distance caught her attention, finding her only familia member shambling through the street while the blood soaked the his bandages, tainting them red. "Bell? Bell!" The goddess broke into a sprint towards the boy, tears streaming down her cheeks as she held onto him tightly, refusing to let go. "What happened to you...?"

For a moment, there was no reply, only the sound of the woman weeping in worry and fear for her familia. "Just a bad day in the dungeons, that's all..." He smiled, producing a painful chuckle.

The diety brought him inside, cleaning his wounds carefully and replacing the bandages. She allowed him to sit on a row of pews, giving her a better look at some of the wounds while others forced him to stand.

"Wait, Goddess Hestia, won't I be healed if you just update my status?" He looked up at her as she wiped some of the blood from his forehead after removing the bandage which concealed it.

Without a word, she guided Bell downstairs, where the bed and sofa were. Instead of bringing him to the couch, she helped him to the bed, removing his shirt and placing him face down. "Alright," she wiped her own eyes as she picked up a needle and pricked her finger, a drop of blood landing on the symbol on his back. "Let's see how much you've grown, and then you'll be okay."

It began to glow, forming a large bubble around it. Within the ethereal display, numbers appeared in red and white. The goddess slid each one around, allowing everything to adjust and configure. When finished, she somewhat pushed the bubble into Bell's back, then placed a blank paper over the familia sigil on his back. With her finger, she traced a circle in the center and the new status appeared to fill the blank page.

She lifted it off, and they sat beside each other. The adventurer's pierced arm was no more, it was as if nothing happened to it. Hestia gave the paper to him, letting him read each stat.

"Goddess Hestia, did it really go up this much?" Bell questioned her, recieving a nod in return. His eyes continued to scan the paper, coming across the skill section at the bottom. He already knew that there was a blank space, seemingly scratched out, but he didn't pay attention to that. He was interested in the one which was listed just below. "Argonaut?" He spoke aloud, unbelieving of his discovery of a skill.

"What? Let me see." Hestia took the paper and examined it, producing a small giggle as she leaned against him and traced a finger on his shoulder. "It means 'Heroic Aspiration.' You still want to be a fairy tale hero, and you have yet to grow out of that desire."

Of course, Bell began to blush. "O-okay? So, what does that mean for when I'm in the dungeon?"

"It means that when you're losing a fight, you have a chance to turn it around and still win. I guess you could call it a Hero Shot."

"So... it's kind of a counterattack?"

"Exactly!" The two smiled at each other, Hestia leaning a bit closer and hugging him as she let out a sigh of relief. "I'm just glad you're still here," she smiled softly as she latched her arms around him. "I don't know what I would do without you, you're all I have..."

Soon, it grew quiet. Bell couldn't produce words, his only feelings being guilt for what would happen if he were to die, and leave Hestia alone. In the silence of the night, his goddess had fallen asleep, still holding onto him. He gently lifted her off of him and let her down to rest in her bed, covering her with the blanket before moving himself to the sofa, where he found a peaceful rest for the night.