Chapter 137 - Bell Cranel
Most expeditions by Familia are internal matters with no need to report to the guild.
However, the Loki Familia is different.
They lead the forefront of dungeon exploration, holding the best chance to conquer it and uncover its deepest secrets.
Naturally, they draw the guild's focus and support.
For every expedition, the guild offers as much aid as possible to help the Loki Familia delve deeper.
"Do you know when the Loki Familia will start their expedition?" Roy asked Eina, glancing at Loki as she left.
As Orario's top dungeon raiders, the Loki Familia knows the deep floors well.
Following them could quickly complete his random task.
"Not sure," Eina shook her head. "But based on past expeditions, preparations take about a week."
A week seemed plenty of time.
For the exact timing, he could confirm with Ais and the others.
From the arena, Loki owed him a minor favor that might help.
After thanking Eina, Roy left the guild.
Glancing at the sky, he didn't head straight to home. There was time, no rush.
Besides, a Loki Familia expedition was a major event with noticeable activity.
He wouldn't miss it unless he overslept.
"Hm?" On the way home, Roy spotted a white-haired figure.
The traits were unmistakable; Roy recognized him instantly.
"Bell Cranel?"
With white hair, red eyes, and a timid demeanor, he was the spitting image of a rabbit.
Even in diverse Orario, Bell's appearance stood out, catching Roy's eye amid the crowd.
Of course, to Roy, Bell wasn't just rabbit-like—he was a walking bounty of dimension points.
"Hey, white-haired, hold up," Roy approached, calling out to stop Bell, who was walking dazedly ahead.
"Me?" Bell halted instinctively, then turned toward the voice.
Before him stood a pink-haired youth, god-like in looks, around sixteen or seventeen.
"You calling me?" Bell asked cautiously, his politeness endearing.
"You're pretty sensitive to white hair," Roy quipped.
He knew Bell's name but avoided suspicion by using his appearance.
"Um…," Bell rubbed his head, smiling awkwardly.
"Something you need?" Bell asked, puzzled.
He was sure he didn't know Roy.
"You were just…" Roy glanced at the nearby building, where several adventurers lingered—likely a Familia's territory.
Bell had been ejected by them.
At this, Bell looked even more embarrassed, forcing a dry smile.
"I want to be an adventurer, but no Familia will take me…"
Honest guy—spills everything.
But as the protagonist, that sincerity drew allies in the anime, keeping them loyal.
"Orario's Familia are strict about new members," Roy nodded.
"Most coming here aim to join a Familia and become adventurers. Talented or famous ones get scooped up; others try their luck."
Familia rooted in Orario were heroic outside it, naturally picky with recruits.
"Of course, some come to Orario chancing it," Roy eyed Bell.
Bell's embarrassment deepened.
He fit the third type.
Sadly, he'd found no willing Familia yet.
"What's your name?" Roy asked.
"Bell, Bell Cranel," Bell said shyly.
"Roy Flott," Roy extended his hand; Bell shook it timidly.
[Congratulations, Host, for absorbing 500,000 dimension points.]
Half a million was substantial.
Roy's mood lifted at the system's prompt.
"How many Familia have you tried?" Roy released his hand.
With 500,000 points harvested, he'd guide him—though not to the Hestia Familia.
"Over twenty," Bell admitted truthfully.
He'd been in Orario three days, seeking Familia daily, all failures.
"What about the Freya Familia? Tried them?" Roy asked.
"I did…" Bell muttered.
"And you weren't noticed?" Roy was surprised. In the anime, Freya obsessed over Bell.
"I got scared off at the entrance," Bell's fair cheeks flushed deeper, ashamed of his cowardice.
"Scared off?" Roy pressed, intrigued. "What happened?"
"Ran into a terrifying person at the door…" Bell hung his head. Fleeing from one glance felt utterly shameful.
"Terrifying person…" Roy's mouth twitched. "Must've been Ottar."
If Freya knew her coveted prize nearly joined but fled due to Ottar, she'd want him dead.
"Ottar?" Bell, new to Orario, knew little of famed adventurers.
"Orario's highest-level adventurer right now—the strongest," Roy explained.
"Amazing…" Bell admired.
"Let me introduce a Familia for you," Roy said—not Freya's; he had no interest in matchmaking for her. Not Hestia's either.
The Soma Familia was reforming under Lili, no time for Bell.
"But it's a small one; don't mind that," Roy planned to send him to the Miach Familia.
As a medical type familia, injuries wouldn't be an issue.
Roy liked Miach, Hestia's friend; introducing potential like Bell was a favor.
"No, no!" Bell said gratefully. "How could I? Thank you so much!"
These three days of rejection had him doubting life.
This chance was a lifeline.
"Alright, follow me," Roy led Bell to the Miach Familia's residence.
Blue Pharmacy.
This was the Miach Familia's shop and headquarters.
As a small Familia, they couldn't afford separate shop and home like Hephaestus's.
It combined both.
"Welcome. Need anything?" A lone Chienthrope girl staffed the counter.
"I'm Roy Flott from the Hestia Familia. Looking for Lord Miach—is he here?" Roy asked politely.
"For Lord Miach?" The Chienthrope girl glanced up, nodded silently. "Wait a moment."
She left the counter for the back.
Soon, Miach emerged, smiling gently. "Roy, what brings you?"
"Actually, Lord Miach," Roy pulled Bell forward to explain.
"You want this child in my Familia?" Miach was surprised.
"Yes, Bell's got solid adventurer potential," Roy nodded.
"May I ask why? Wouldn't he fit better in the Hestia Familia?" Miach trusted Roy's judgment but wondered why push talent elsewhere.
"You asked me to help out your familia?" Roy admitted.
"Helping you this you."
At this, the Chienthrope girl shot Roy an admiring glance.
"I see," Miach looked grateful.
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