The Grand Myth

Assimilation

"Do you have any idea how those Minotaurs got so close to the surface?" Eina asked her new charge

She knew he was in the dungeon on the day of the incident and although the likelihood of him knowing something was slim, any and all information would help

"I haven't a giraffe" Bell responded with a shake of his head. While the jargon was new to her, she understood the premise

Eina sighed. It truly was unsettling. Such a large horde shouldn't have come anywhere near the surface on their own. Unless they were led up, in which case, this was no longer a fire but an entire volcano. The implications terrified her and if the threats aren't baseless, then there would be city wide pandemonium. Thus far they'd kept the news of a herd of Minotaurs being closer to the surface than the first shops in Babel are to the ground under wraps. For how long that would persist though...

Ill tidings from the dungeon were steadily becoming more and more prevalent, so much so that even her in her meagre receptionist/advisor position, had been brought into the know on a few paramount cases. The Loki Familia's investigation into spirits being chief among them. She sure did live in interesting times, although that isn't necessarily a good thing

It made her even more afeared for adventurers like Bell, whom didn't have the backing or support of an entire Familia. Not that he needed it however, unbeknownst to her of course

Bell was in midst of telling her about his chivalric exploit on his first dungeon dive, wherein he managed to rescue a Chienthrope in distress. A female Chienthrope too. Little Bell looked so chuffed. She briefly considered the possibility of Bell having been the one to take down the Minotaurs, given the report was that a Chienthrope was left behind, but dismissed the thought. He may have possessed an air of strength and experience like a first class adventurer did, but that was most likely the exuberance of youth

"I must reiterate Bell, you have to be careful down in the dungeon. Adventurers shouldn't go looking for adventures" Eina reinforced

"Fret not my dear! The closer you are to danger, the further you are from harm!"

"Are you stupid?" She had to ask

"Nope! I'm Bell!"

"You're hilarious" she sighed "but seriously Bell, be careful" this time she said it more solemnly. Like someone concerned about her friend and not an advisor worried about her charge

"I will be" Bell appeased

She could only nod, as she watched him leave the guild

oOo

Bell thought about what he'll be doing for the rest of the day. He could go and see Naaza who'd been released from the infirmary and moved to her Familia's base, the Blue Pharmacy. Her god was beside himself when he heard of his child's wound and thanked Bell to the moon and back for saving her. Miach's opinion of Bell ascended even higher when he learnt that he was Hestia's child as well. The Cranel shook his head. Naaza could do without any reminders of her trauma and Bell was definitely a reminder

The dungeon it was then. He hadn't made any profit from it yet, as rescuing Naaza three days ago had been the only time he'd stepped foot into the pit

Fortunately he was still fully equipped from his short lived initial excursion. Bell couldn't wait to relive some of the tales he'd read about and become a hero. Granted he already was to Naaza and Miach but Bell was much more ambitious.
Wanting to be a hero on a grander scale. Saving damsels in distress, combatting feral beasts with ill reputations and making a name for himself. Childish? Perhaps. Totally awesome? Definitely!