Chapter 29 - Don't mess with me. (Patreon)

POV: Rui

Bella and Hestia sat down on the couch and started eating. As they ate, Goddess Hestia kept looking at me as if I were her enemy. She herself had said that I'd never even approached her before, so it was strange that she disliked me so much.

Are the rumors really that bad?

Ever since I came to this world, this is the first time anyone has treated me with so much hostility. Maybe she's taking those rumors a little too seriously? Come to think of it, was Hestia always someone who hated womanizers?

I don't remember.

I kept smiling at her the whole time. Honestly, I think it's incredibly cute.

It'll definitely be difficult to get close to her and win her over, but I'm sure I'll manage it. I'm confident in my appearance, and I'm also confident that I can treat her well enough to soften her heart.

I think the best way to do that is by helping her Familia grow. If I can accomplish that, I'm sure she'll eventually start seeing me in a better light.

Then I looked away and let out a sigh.

"Are you just going to stand there? Why don't you eat too? You were the one who paid for all of this, after all," Bella said as she finished chewing.

"I'm not hungry. You two can enjoy it."

"You bought way too much food."

"There's probably going to be enough left over for tomorrow, so that's a good thing."

"Yeah..." Bella murmured before turning to Goddess Hestia. "You should stop looking at Rui like that."

"I can't... I just don't trust him."

"Hahaha."

I let out a laugh.

"What are you laughing at? This isn't funny. I'm serious."

"Huff~~."

I sighed again before speaking.

"Goddess, you're taking all those rumors far too seriously. I'll admit that I used to go around getting involved with all kinds of women, but I haven't lived like that in a long time."

"A man like you never changes."

"I have changed. I promise."

I smiled.

"I'm not that kind of person anymore. Right now, I'm focused on getting stronger. I'll reach Level Four soon."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

I lowered my head in gratitude.

"I'm happy to hear that."

"..."

"Goddess, I really think he's changed," Bella suddenly said. "He saved me from two dangerous situations today, and I never felt any ulterior motives from him. I trust him."

"You only met him today, and you already trust him? What kind of magic did you use?"

"A spell called 'Saving Her from Death.'"

After saying that, I laughed.

Hearing my words, Hestia almost choked on her food before turning toward Bella with a horrified expression.

"What do you mean, 'from death'!? "

Hestia completely panicked. Even though Bella was perfectly fine, she reacted as though Bella had actually died.

"What does he mean by that? Did you die?"

"Huh? Of course not. I'm right here."

"What happened?"

Hestia looked at me with a serious expression.

So I began explaining everything that had happened in detail. I also told her about the Minotaur appearing on a floor where it shouldn't have existed, along with all the changes that had been occurring inside the Dungeon.

The Dungeon is slowly changing, and everyone is beginning to notice it.

I honestly hope it isn't because of my existence.

####

After Hestia and Bella finished eating, I decided it was time to leave.

Hestia was still in shock after hearing everything we'd told her. When she learned that Bella had almost been killed by a Minotaur, she started crying, even though Bella was completely safe.

Bella didn't even walk me outside.

We said our goodbyes, and I left the Hestia Familia's home.

Before leaving, though, I made it clear that I wanted to meet Bella again.

Hestia didn't say anything about it. I honestly thought she'd object.

After learning that I'd saved Bella twice, I think she started seeing me in a more favorable light.

At least for now.

Now all I have to do is keep meeting with the two of them and slowly build a relationship.

Once I stepped outside, I let out a sigh and looked toward the Tower.

It's not evening yet.

Should I explore the Dungeon by myself for a while before heading home?

I'm sure the girls won't mind.

And honestly, aside from fighting the Minotaur, I didn't have much fun today.

'I still have plenty of energy left.'

As soon as I reached the Dungeon entrance, I ran into a group of adventurers who stopped right in front of me.

I'd never seen them before.

I glanced around, but everyone nearby simply ignored what was happening.

'Shouldn't there be Guild employees around here? Are they really just going to let this happen?'

I sighed before asking,

"Who are you? Is this because of what happened earlier?"

Were they waiting here for me?

How did they know I'd come back today?

Well... maybe they didn't.

The man who appeared to be their leader stepped forward.

He was about my height, but his muscles were much bigger than mine. His body's proportions looked a little strange.

I looked at everyone's faces and thought,

'Those three aren't here.'

"You did something you shouldn't have, kid."

The man approached me, snorting angrily.

"Your breath stinks," I said mockingly.

Even so, he didn't lose his temper.

"Do you even know who you're talking to?"

he asked, while the other four men surrounded me.

"I don't know who you are, and I don't care."

I stared directly into the man's eyes without looking away.

This guy is strong...

But not strong enough to intimidate me.

And the men around him are nothing more than a bunch of idiot lackeys.

"I can already tell talking won't solve this."

The man cracked his knuckles before reaching behind his back and grabbing the hilt of the massive sword strapped there.

But before he could even draw it, I drove a kick straight into his stomach, sending him flying backward.

He flew a long distance before crashing down the stairs.

If he'd landed just a little farther to the side, he would've fallen into the pit leading to the first floor.

He definitely would've died.

The other men froze in shock.

Before any of them could react, I tossed my sword onto the ground and started throwing punches in every direction.

Within seconds, I'd landed two punches on each of them.

One to the stomach.

One to the chin.

All four men collapsed at the exact same time.

I crouched down and picked up my sword.

After dusting off my shirt, I continued walking as though nothing had happened.