[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.4 → Lv.5
Development Abilities:
· Stealth: B
· Cognition: E → D
· Space: E
Attributes:
· Strength: ??? 1679–1999
· Endurance: ??? 1894–2185
· Dexterity: ??? 1759–1999
· Agility: ??? 1478–1999
· Magic: ??? 2010–2207
"Four-Dimensional Space":
· Storage
"Lightning Command":
Quick-cast Magic
· Lightning Manipulation
Skills:
"Personal Training":
· Early Growth
· Double Experience from Fighting Strong Enemies
"Heaven's Luck":
· High Luck
"The Poor Man's Desire":
· Charge]
Looking at the data printed by Hestia, especially the sky-high "Endurance" stat, Bell once again recognized the benefits brought by "Robust Health."
"1900 seems to be the upper limit for my Strength, Agility, and Dexterity. But Endurance and Magic can go beyond that and reach even higher levels."
"Mm-hmm, it's different from the usual Adventurer limits. Bell-kun's cap appears to be 1900."
Hestia had been observing the changes in Bell's stats as well.
"Back at Lv.2, only your Magic reached 1900, but it couldn't go any further, even with your rapid growth rate."
"Then at Lv.3, most of your stats passed 1800, but only Magic broke through to over 2100. Meanwhile, Agility and Dexterity stopped right at 1900. Considering your magic style, those should be your strongest stats, yet they couldn't surpass 2000."
"And now, at Lv.4, it's the same. This time, aside from Endurance and Magic, every stat reached 1999—but none of them broke through that threshold. I think this is where Bell-kun's limits lie."
After finishing her explanation, Hestia suddenly realized how harsh that last line might have sounded and quickly tried to explain herself more carefully.
"Ah, I didn't mean Bell-kun couldn't break through that limit, I meant... this might be Bell-kun's actual cap... um, what I should say is..."
"Hestia, I understand what you meant."
Listening to Hestia's flustered explanation, Bell couldn't help but laugh. He turned around and gently pulled Hestia into a hug.
"I'm not so fragile that I'd get upset over something like that. Besides, I know my own limits well enough. Just getting this far already makes me happy."
Bell wasn't the type to be ungrateful.
One needed to understand themselves clearly. He was someone who had gone through special experiences, had incredible luck—maybe even carried a greater destiny. That was directly reflected in his personal abilities.
Bell never wanted to be a world-saving hero. He understood well enough that heroes in stories rarely got happy endings, which was why he didn't like being one.
Heroes needed noble qualities. But Bell, fully aware of himself, didn't believe he had those traits.
He preferred to remain in the shadows rather than stand in the light.
"Also, thank you for being so considerate of my feelings, Hestia."
Hearing that made Hestia quietly happy. Held tightly in Bell's arms, she leaned in more, relishing the comfort—but still grumbled happily.
"You dummy, you're my child. Of course I'd care about your feelings."
Hestia had always cared most about Bell—though by now, it was far more than the usual affection a god had for their child.
Moved by that feeling and the tender atmosphere, Bell lowered his head and kissed the goddess in his arms.
...
They didn't know how long they stayed like that, until a teasing voice finally brought them back to their senses.
"You two done yet?"
"!?"
Startled, the two quickly separated and turned to see Hephaestus watching them with a "smile" on her face.
Embarrassed, Hestia buried her head in Bell's chest, but Bell, being outside, clearly saw the sour jealousy hiding behind Hephaestus' smile. Scratching his cheek awkwardly, he looked away.
What an idiot. Hephaestus glanced at Hestia curled in Bell's arms and couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy herself.
Without giving Bell a chance to speak, she strode forward and threw herself on top of them both, dragging Hestia in as well.
"I... mmph!"
It was a deep, passionate kiss.
Bell could clearly feel the heat of Hephaestus' emotions—and so could Hestia, who was now sandwiched tightly between them.
"Mm... stop... don't squeeze me..."
Bell and Hephaestus were about the same height, but Hestia was much shorter. So when Hephaestus came barreling in, she ended up completely squished between them, unable to resist or move.
And Hephaestus was a blacksmith—her strength, even sealed, still far outclassed Hestia's. That left Hestia totally defenseless. By the time they finally pulled apart, she was limp on the sofa, totally out of strength.
"Ugh... Hephaestus, you totally did that on purpose..."
Naturally, Hephaestus didn't deny it. She was absolutely jealous—completely sour.
"You're always like this. Last time was the same. Bell stayed with you before going to the Dungeon, and now that he's back, it's you again."
"Mm..."
Hestia couldn't argue with that.
She thought back to last time Bell returned. They'd spent a long time "exercising" in the bath. And this time… well, it just happened to line up with his return again.
"And now, you—Bell."
Hephaestus looked at the bewildered Bell, her tone slightly sharp with jealousy. She walked straight up to him, cupped his cheeks, and leaned in.
"Even with the kind of relationship we have... I still get jealous. I'm a goddess too, and sometimes... I need comfort."
So that's how it was. Bell saw a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes—an intense desire to be cherished, cloaked in jealousy.
He thought about his relationship with Hestia, then compared it to the one he had with Hephaestus. There was definitely a difference.
"Hephaestus..."
Bell wrapped his arms around her, surprised that his instinctive reaction had stirred up so much emotion.
"Sorry. I always saw you as the strong, dependable type. I forgot... you and Hestia are the same."
"Tch... at least you realize it."
Hephaestus' crimson eyes glinted with mock annoyance, but a trace of worry still lingered in them.
"Do I really look like a goddess who doesn't need love?"
"No... it's just, you always seem so strong. Aside from the first time, you were always the one making the first move... so I thought maybe you preferred being the one to take the lead..."
That's the reason!? Hephaestus almost fainted on the spot.
So that's why Bell was never as forward with her as he was with Hestia—because he assumed she liked taking the initiative!
"Bell, just because I like taking the lead doesn't mean I don't want to be pursued too."
Got it. Bell finally understood what Hephaestus truly wanted.