Once you have a clear goal, you need the determination to pursue it.
Bell had never lacked that kind of resolve.
He wasn't seeking fame—his only wish was to live longer, to stay by Hestia's side for as long as possible. And with that goal in mind, the determination to fight for it had taken root in him.
...
The next morning.
The magic stone lamp in the room was still glowing. Hestia and Bell were sleeping in the same bed, sharing a single blanket.
Bell lay on his back, sleeping normally, but Hestia was sprawled across his body. The blanket covered them, yet from the way it was draped, it was obvious how close they were—pressed together with barely any space between them.
"Mm…"
Hestia stirred slightly. The restful sleep from the night before triggered a natural reflex, nudging her awake. Her eyelids fluttered as her body twisted instinctively, trying to find a more comfortable position.
But that slight movement spelled trouble for the still-sleeping Bell.
Early mornings were a dangerous time for boys, after all. That small shift increased the contact between their bodies—and it was enough to jolt Bell awake instantly.
His eyes were bloodshot and full of tension.
Fuck!
The moment his brain caught up to his body, Bell realized what was happening. The heat coursing through him, the pressure building—it was all because of the goddess currently lying on top of him.
As his body shifted with his sudden awareness, Hestia frowned unconsciously, instinctively reaching for the blanket to cover herself.
That tiny action was the final trigger.
Bell activated Lightning Command and shot out from under the blanket like a bolt of lightning.
Thud!
With the sudden absence of the warm body beneath her, Hestia's face dropped directly into the mattress, forcing her groggy eyes open.
"Mn…"
A soft whimper slipped from her lips. Still half-asleep, she slowly sat up in a uniquely girlish pose, resting her hands on the mattress and blinking at her surroundings.
"It's still warm… Did you get up this early?"
"Yaaaawn…"
She stretched with a wide yawn, her figure accentuated by the motion. Her curves were even more noticeable in that moment.
Unfortunately, the basement was empty—no one was there to appreciate the sight.
The one person who could have had that privilege had just fled moments earlier.
"F…"
Outside, Bell stood facing the wall, trying to bring his heart rate under control.
'You're pathetic.'
'Hestia's practically your girlfriend already, and you still get flustered like that first thing in the morning?'
Bell cursed himself in the depths of his mind.
He wanted to rip that white dress to shreds, to see Hestia's face flushed with bliss—but in the end, he was too weak to act.
Frustrated, he looked down—then slammed his forehead into the cracked wall.
Just another layer to his self-loathing.
He'd never been into drinking, gambling, or even temples. But lust? That was the one vice he couldn't quit.
Anyone who managed that probably already moved to Thailand… or turned to the other side of the trade.
He was just an ordinary guy—a little pervy, a bit reserved.
Maybe… just maybe… he still had the soul of an otaku.
After taking a few deep breaths and cooling the blood rushing through him, Bell finally pulled himself out of his spiral of shame.
Now that his mind had cleared, his thoughts turned to the massive goal ahead.
Black Dragon? That thing was nothing!
Black Dragon was just one more wall he'd have to smash through on the way to reaching Level 10.
But first, he needed to be realistic.
Before chasing after Black Dragon or Level 10, he had to focus on reaching Level 2.
Fortunately, Bell knew exactly where his strengths lay.
Other Adventurers, no matter how gifted, need a long period of steady accumulation. But Bell could shorten that process exponentially.
What might take an ordinary Adventurer a year or two to build up, Bell could achieve in just two trips into the Dungeon.
So even though his ultimate goal was to reach Level 10, he still planned to follow the regular path of growth step by step.
The real challenge wasn't in raising his stats—it was in finding the right opponents. Great achievements could only be earned by challenging enemies stronger than oneself. That was the part Bell found most troublesome.
...
Creak.
The dilapidated door to the basement creaked open, and the dull sound made Bell turn his head.
Morning light streamed in through the broken wall of the church. The early rays were tinged with a chilly hue, casting a cool glow over Hestia's sleepy face. Her half-lidded eyes and serene expression gave her a rare, cold beauty.
But that fleeting elegance didn't last more than three seconds before it was replaced by a goofy smile.
"Bell-kun."
That sweet voice felt like a warm breeze washing over Bell, instantly dissolving all his earlier frustrations and self-loathing.
Looking at her like this, Bell couldn't help but smile back.
"Goddess-sama."
Hearing his reply, Hestia's smile remained unchanged. Barefoot, she walked straight over to him and dove into his arms without the slightest hesitation.
"Bell-kun, you're up way too early! Mornings are meant for sleeping in!"
Bell gave a slightly bitter smile.
He wasn't someone who had trouble sleeping in the morning. Even if his internal clock went off, he could usually manage to sleep a bit longer.
But it wasn't about whether he could sleep—he wanted to. The burning restlessness inside just wouldn't let him.
'Damn this morning energy... Can't you give it a rest?'
Maybe it was the result of too much training, but Bell felt like his stamina and energy had been steadily rising day by day. Not by leaps and bounds, but his strength, endurance, and magic were all being sharpened little by little.
It was exactly the kind of growth Bell needed.
But there was a downside. When you were this energized, and the goddess who changed your life (and your living situation) was right there, all that physical vitality had nowhere to go.
The most obvious problem? Morning tension.
Of course, that wasn't something he could ever say aloud in front of Goddess-sama.
"Goddess-sama, I guess I just got a little excited this morning after setting my goals yesterday."
Hestia understood that feeling well—but she still needed to say her part.
"Bell-kun, even if reaching Level 10 is an amazing goal, it's not something you can achieve overnight. Don't let your excitement make you think you can skip steps."
She huffed a little.
"And next time, don't jump out of bed so suddenly. Morning time is when I get to be spoiled."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake