Gareth's axe broke.
It snapped—like a toy.
Silence followed. The room froze.
Everyone—Bell, the Loki Familia, the customers, Mia, the staff... even me—just stood there, stunned.
The shattered metal clattered to the wooden floor, snapping me out of my fury. The rage that had taken over vanished like smoke. I looked down. Bete was unconscious in my grip. I dropped him without a word.
I marched over to the bar, dropped a pouch of valis for the food, then turned to Bell—still in shock—and grabbed him by the arm.
"Move."
We ran. No looking back.
No words.
Not until we were far from the pub, safe under the cloak of the city's quieter streets, did we finally stop and walk.
"So... what now?" Bell finally asked, still trying to catch his breath. "Everyone knows your level."
"We wait," I said, trying to sound calm—but the fear gnawed at the edge of my thoughts. "If they want war, then we'll fight. But right now? We've got other problems."
"Like what?"
I glanced at him, voice low. "Like what happens when Goddess finds out."
Bell stopped walking. "…We?"
"You think you're off the hook?" I snapped. "You were there. You saw what happened. You think she's gonna ignore that?"
Bell went pale. Sweat beaded down his forehead. "I-I think I l-left something in the d-dungeon!" He turned to bolt.
I grabbed him and pulled him into a tight, one-sided hug. He squirmed, but I wasn't letting go.
"We're a family, Bell. You're my brother," I whispered, activating my Distressing skill.
He stilled.
"Now help me face the consequences."
"You did WHAT!?"
Hestia's voice cracked like thunder.
Bell and I stood like school kids in trouble, heads bowed. I tried to glance up—but froze when I met her eyes. That glare. That murderous glare. Ares' soldiers had glared at me before... but this?
No comparison.
She stood slowly. We braced for it.
Then—
She laughed.
Bell and I blinked.
"I think we broke Goddess," he whispered.
"W-why are you laughing, Go-Goddess?" I asked, unsure if it was good or really bad.
"Finally!" she cackled. "Someone shut that flat-chested Goddess up!"
Bell and I exchanged stunned glances.
"You're... not mad?" Bell asked, voice barely audible.
"Of course I'm mad! What you two did was reckless and stupid!" she said, hands on hips. "But watching that smug Goddess get humbled? That was delicious."
We exhaled—hard.
That night, after getting properly scolded, we went to bed. Hestia's rage had simmered down, but the anxiety hadn't left me.
The Loki Familia wouldn't let this go.
I could handle myself... but Bell? Hestia?
I'd already lost a family once.
I wouldn't lose another.
All I could do now was rest—
and prepare.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I was the first to wake. Then Bell. Then Hestia.
She pulled me aside first.
"No more showing off," she warned. "Keep your power hidden. Control it."
I nodded. I heard the concern behind her sternness.
Then she turned to Bell. "Your growth is impressive, Bell. You've got real potential," she said warmly. "I'll support you all the way."
Finally, she looked at both of us.
"Please… don't leave me alone," she said. Her voice cracked.
Bell was the first to respond. "Okay. I won't do anything reckless. I'll get stronger—but I won't leave you. Ever." He smiled, and she smiled back.
Her gaze landed on me next.
"Goddess," I said, stepping forward. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I will never leave you. This Familia is everything to me."
Her smile widened. The light returned to her eyes.
"As long as I can hear those words," she whispered, "I'll be okay."
She stood up.
"Now then—Bell, Tristian—I'll be away for a few days. I trust you two will survive without me?"
We blinked. "Wait, what?"
She giggled and walked off, ignoring our confused stares.
We geared up for the dungeon. This time, I brought my scythe—Entity's Grasp. I wasn't about to punch monsters to death again.
I had style to maintain.
We stood outside the Hostess of Fertility.
I was ready to head into the dungeon, but Bell insisted: apologize first.
Fine.
We walked in. No customers. Good.
I approached Mia.
"I'm sorry for how I acted," I said, bowing deeply.
She raised an eyebrow. "Wow. You actually came back to say that. I'll be honest, kid—you nearly cost us one of our best customers. But…" She smirked. "Turns out the Loki Familia admitted they were wrong. Said they'd let it slide—thanks to someone's attitude problem."
Relief flooded me. "What about the axe?"
She nodded. "Covered."
I let out a long breath.
"Now, move along. I need to give Bell some encouragement," she added, cracking her knuckles.
Bell flinched. I chuckled and stepped to the side—
Only to feel someone grab me.
Slam.
A wall hit my back. Cold steel pressed against my throat.
A green-haired elf stared me down, eyes blazing.
"What are you doing here… GODKILLER?" she hissed.
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