Danmachi is not mine! Go Support the Official Release!

"Words" = Speaking

Words = Flashback

'Words' = Thoughts

CHAPTER 1

:Flashback/Dream:

"Grandpa! Grandpa! I wanna be an adventurer and be a hero just like the Argonaut! " a 10 year old Boy exclaimed starry eyed with his favorite story held high above his head. The older man smiled sadly at the young boy in front of him.

"I know you do Bell, but you know, only girls can receive the blessings of Gods and Goddesses" The older man reached down and ruffled the kid's hair affectionately.

"But the Argonaut was a hero before the Gods and Goddesses' blessings!" Bell countered excitedly, not letting the older man's words deter him.

"That may be so Bell, but being an adventurer let alone a Hero is dangerous even with a blessing. It would definitely be impossible without one." Bell's grandfather took hold of his grandson's shoulders and knelt down to look him in the eye.

"Listen Bell, being an adventurer or a Hero isn't just about saving the damsel in distress and being famous. Going down the path of an adventurer and Hero would force you to face dangers and pain beyond human imagination! Even knowing all this, would you still want to become one?" Bell's grandfather questioned in a rare serious tone. Bell was taken back at the tone his grandfather was using, knowing that his grandfather was normally a jolly and sometime perverted old man. Still Bell didn't back down and nodded.

"Of course! I will be a great hero just like Argonaut was and save everyone in trouble!"

Bell's Grandfather stared into his adopted grandson's eyes and saw a rare fire of determination burn within that he hadn't seen before. After looking his grandson in the eyes a little longer, the grandfather closed his eyes and chuckled in defeat.

"You're a stubborn one for a kid your age, but even I can see that your mind is dead set on this." The man stood up. "Very well Bell. I won't stop you if it's what your heart truly desires. In fact, starting today, I will begin to teach you everything you need to know to not only become an adventurer, but one that can get any girl he comes across! Hahahaha!" The man laughed loudly ruffling the hair of the young boy once more.

:Present Day:

Bell stirred, slowly opening his eyes, the echoes of laughter of his grandfather slowly fading within his subconscious. The light of the sun and the rocking and noise of the horse drawn wagon, reminding him where he was. Bell Cranel, now 14 years old, donned light combat chest armor, leg guards, and arm guards (Bells usual armor without the red trimming basically) with a pair of steel combat knives on his hip; the last gifts his grandfather gave him before his passing. Now awake, he sat up, yawned and stretched and began to look around to see if he was close to his destination.

"Look who finally woke up!" Bell heard a voice call from behind. He turned to see the driver of the wagon looking back at him with a smile. Bell smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. "You slept a good portion of the trip kid! But you have good timing. Orario is just over there!" The man pointed in front of him. Bell looked toward the direction the man was pointing to see the quickly approaching walls of the Labyrinth City of Orario. He could only gaze in awe as the protruding tower; known as Babel, loomed endlessly into the heavens.

The wagon passed through the city's gates without problems and pulled off to the side, allowing Bell to get off with his bag.

"Thank you very much sir" Bell expressed his gratitude bowing his head.

"It was no problem kid. I owed that old man a few favors anyway haha. You take care now and good luck!" the man smiled and began to drive away, waving.

Bell gave one last wave to the departing man and began to look around. Bell was instantly amazed. He always knew that Orario would be different than the country side he was raised in, but he never imagined it to be like this. Even near the wall entrance, the streets and surrounding area were hustling and bustling with traders and shop keepers trying to sell their exotic goods and wares to anyone who would listen. Bell finally understood why his Grandfather told him that Orario would be his best bet of achieving his dreams of being a Hero! It was where opportunists, adventurers and traders alike, could achieve wealth, fame, power, and the attention of the Gods and Goddesses. Bell could feel the excitement begin to well inside him and fill his entire being with motivation. He smiled as he knew that this was his first step into achieving his ultimate goal.

'I won't let you down grandpa! I will become a hero!' Bell thought with a bright smile. Bell began make his way further into the city, when he stopped. An odd sensation rolling over him. A sensation that made him fell…watched. He looked around see if someone was watching or staring at him but couldn't find anyone or anything. Everyone was carrying on like normal. But as quickly as the sensation came, it vanished.

'Strange' He took one last look around, but shrugged it off once he couldn't find anything out of place and continued his venture into the city.

The lively atmosphere the city held, seemed to spread to its people as folks of all races, gender, size and shape bustled around the further he walked into the city. Bell felt like a little kid again in the bakery as all the sights and smell of various goods filled the air. Stores and restaurants of all kinds stationed their staff outside, trying to bring customers and crowds to their business. But what caught Bell's attention most, were the adventurers.

Just like he was told, the many adventurers walking the streets were all female of various races. Some were donning impressive pieces of expensive looking armor and weaponry. Others were dressed in exotic clothing of faraway lands, carrying intricate looking weapons. And others… well, Bell blushed slightly as he didn't know if he could consider what some adventurers were wearing, as clothing.

'How does that offer any protection in the dungeon?' Bell sweat dropped as he watched an Amazonness walked past, carrying a massive battle axe and wearing something that left little to the imagination. Bell shook his head to rid the inappropriate train of thoughts as he caught himself staring longer than he probably should have.

'Darn it grandpa. I can't let his "teachings" get to me' Bell knew it was his Grandfathers dream to not only have Bell succeed in becoming a Hero, but for Bell to also have a Harem! Many "lessons" were centered around the opposite sex and on, what his grandfather called, a "Man's Romance", much to Bell's dismay and embarrassment.

Bell continued to wander aimlessly around the City, enjoying the new sights and sounds until a realization dawned on him and froze him in place. He had ZERO idea where he was and where to start! His Grandfather never told him where to go after he arrived in Orario! Bell couldn't believe he was JUST realizing this! Bell made up his mind that his first task in Orario will be to find a map. It didn't take him long to find a vendor selling maps of various places fortunately. As he approached the stall, Bell noticed that many of the maps being sold were labeled "dungeon maps". The lady, a dwarf Bell presumed, behind the venue had long black hair with orange streaks tied into a ponytail. She wore simple, light looking armor underneath a green and blue cloak and black boots. An adventurer, Bell assumed.

"Hey there kid. How can I help you today?" The woman loudly greeted with a full smile.

Bell smiled back nervously "Hello there! I was kind of wondering if you had a Map of Orario. I'm a little new to the area and-"

The woman seemed to know what he was about to say, probably dealing with it often, and cut me off with a raised hand. "Looking for a map of the city right?"

Bell nodded scratching his cheek nervously.

"Of course I got a map of the city! They're the best around since I keep mine updating unlike SOME swindlers on the street" Bell noticed the she boasted that last part louder as she pulled a map out and unrolled it . "And they're cheap!"

Bell smiled brighter at the word "Cheap". "Really? How much?" Bell asked happily.

"550 Valis" The woman informed. Bell's smile fell slightly at that.

'That's cheap!?' Bell thought exasperated. Bell looked over the map and began to check the accuracy of it by quickly finding where he was and surrounding landmarks. It was accurate as far as he could tell.

"Trust me kid, you won't find a cheaper map of this quality" The woman urged seeming to sense Bell's hesitation.

"Ah n-no it's not that! I'm just surprised by how…cheap…it is?" Bell responded with a nervous smile not really sure if he's trying to convince himself more than the adventurer. "I'll take one". Bell pulled out the right amount from my bag and handed it over.

"So anywhere I can help you find?" the woman asked as she handed me the map.

"Ah, where would someone go if they want to become an adventurer?" Bell asked, unrolling his newly acquired map.

The Adventurer looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "That would be the Guild, located here" She pointed to the location on the map. "You know an adventurer kid? Is she a new adventurer? Is she your girlfriend?" The adventurer began to tease.

"Nope, noting like that! I'm going there to become an adventurer myself!" Bell responded with a bright smile. The adventurer stared at him for a few seconds before bursting out into laughter.

"Hahahaha that's a good one kid! That really made my day! Hahahaha! You comeback anytime now! Hahaha!" The adventurer waved him off still laughing heartily. Bell frowned slightly but thanked her for the map and walked in the direction of the guild.

On the way to the guild, Bell couldn't help but continue to wear a small frown as he replayed the reaction the Adventurer in his mind repeat idly.

'You knew it wasn't going to be easy Bell' He reminded himself. 'Can't let one person's opinion already damper your spirits.' Bell closed his eyes and saw the image of his grandfather smiling at him. "I will be a hero!" Bell reaffirmed to himself aloud and began to jog toward the guild with renewed motivation!

It took Bell a few more minutes of jogging before he found himself before an impressive building with the sign "GUILD" in front. Bell noticed a variety of people, coming and going through its main doors, going about their daily lives and adventures.

'This is it!' Bell pushed through the well-made oak doors and walked into a wide, spacious area filled with benches and tables occupied by adventures and their parties. On the opposite side of the entrance, on the left side of the room, were counters, where adventurers were seemingly exchanging items for money. To the right were guild workers speaking with various people about various things. A sign reading "Registration" above one of the counters across the room caught Bell's eyes and he began to make his way over. The registration counter was being manned by a beautiful elf woman wearing glasses, shoulder length brown hair, green eyes and what Bell assumed to be the guild uniform. With each step toward the counter, Bell began to feel a little nervous and self-conscious. Steeling himself, he took a deep breath.

"Excuse me?" Bell mentally kicked himself for sounding so meek.

The elven woman looked up from the book she was writing in and smiled "Hello sir! My name is Eina Tulle and I'm a dungeon adviser here at the Guild! Welcome! How can I help you today?"

"Oh..uh…My name is Bell. Bell Cranel. And I'd like to register as an adventurer please." Bell blushed and stuttered seeing Eina's smile. Eina looked at Bell confused for a second before blinking, seeming to come to a realization.

"Oh I'm sorry Bell. I didn't mean to assume you were a man!" Eina corrected herself with a blush and an apologetic smile. "I can help you here"

Bell was briefly confused at Eina's response until realization dawned on him and frantically waved his arm in front of him. "Ehhhh?! no no no no! There's definitely a misunderstanding here! I'm a boy! I'm most definitely a boy!"

Eina, and those nearby, were caught off guard and visibly confused from the sudden and frantic outburst from the white haired kid. "E-e-h? You're a boy? But didn't you say you wanted to register as an adventurer?"

"I do want to register as an adventurer! But I'm a boy!" Bell explained still embarrassed with the misunderstanding.

Eina blinked in confusion a couple times, before putting the pieces of information together.

"Well then, I'll have to deny your request." Eina stated finally getting over her inital confusion. "In order to become an adventurer, you need the blessing of either a God or Goddess and-"

"Only women can receive a blessing. I know that!" Bell interrupted.

"Well if you knew, then why did you ask something as impossible as that?" Eina asked even more confused.

"Because I know I can become one! I was trained and taught by my grandfather for years! I know I can be an adventurer! Just because it's not possible, doesn't mean it's impossible!" Bell countered with a big smile and looking Eina in the eyes with all his resolve.

"What?! Yes it does! That's what impossible means!" Eina couldn't believe what she was hearing!

"You're not even going to give me a chance? I could be different!" Bell desperately reasoned.

"Bell was it?" Eina's asked. Bell nodded, Eina's soft and sudden change in tone grabbing his attention.

"Bell, believe it or not, you're not the first guy to come to Orario, thinking he could become an adventurer. Multiple men before you had been given the chance by the Gods and Goddesses themselves to become adventurers, even without a blessing, and do you know what happened?"

Bell could likely guess given Eina's grim tone and frown. "I'm guessing they didn't last very long?"

"They all died their first hours in the dungeon." Eina corrected.

Bell was shocked at this revelation. Not even a day?

"After multiple men attempted to become an adventurer, and all of them ending the same way, the Guild, Gods and Goddesses all swore that men would not be allowed to become adventurers again. Because they can't Bell! It's impossible without a Gods or Goddesses blessing." Eina finished seriously. She looked at Bell who stood their quietly with his head lowered and hair covering his eyes. "I'm not telling you this to hurt you, Bell. I'm telling you this so you realize how out of touch with reality your dream really is and so you can hopefully choose a more realistic dream you can accomplish. You're still a kid Bell, you have a full life ahead of you. Don't choose something impossible and is akin to suicide."

Eina noticed Bell's shoulders begin to slightly tremble. Thinking the boy was coming to terms with the harsh reality, Eina put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's ok Bell. I'll even help you find something else to do here if you'd like." Eina offered with a small smile hoping to cheer the boy up and possibly help him.

"I…-ll…-come….-ture.." came an inaudible whisper.

"I'm sorry I couldn't quite hear you. Can you please say it again?" Eina asked. Bell suddenly pulled away from her hand, his whole body trembling, eyes still covered by his hair.

"I WILL become an Adventurer! And I WILL become a Hero! WITH or WITHOUT the Guild's or Gods' and Goddesses' help!" Bell declared loudly. His words echoed through the entire guild, earning the attention of everyone in the guild. With the attention now on him, Bell turned around and ran out of the Guild.

"W-wait! Bell!" Eina tried to call out but it was too late.

After his emotional outburst at the Guild, Bell found himself an alley to hide away in. There Bell sat with his stuff at his side, hugging his knees and deep in frustration and thought.

'I knew this wouldn't be easy' he reminded himself repeatedly, gripping his hands tighter. 'But it's still frustrating to hear that they won't even give me chance!'. Eventually, his frustration gave way with a tired sigh, to feeling of helplessness. "Now what Grandpa?" Bell asked hopelessly to no one. He couldn't just give up the dream his grandfather helped him work for, for so long to achieve, but he honestly didn't know what to do at this point. He could try and find a Familia to join, but who would honestly accept a 14 year old boy who wanted to become an adventurer? Bell buried his head further into his knees. He hated feeling like this. He hated feeling alone. But the cold reality was settling in. He was alone.

"-ey!"

The mocking laughter of the shop lady replayed in his mind.

"H-…bo-…?"

The voice of Eina saying his dream and hard work were basically impossible making Bell grit his teeth and tears begin to fall.

"Hey! Boy! Hey!"

Bell whipped his head toward the sudden voice, startled from its sudden appearance. There stood a woman, not more than 5 foot or so, wearing a white mini dress outfit that hugged her body, blue ribbons and white gloves looking at him with concern.

"I finally got your attention! Are you ok boy?" the woman asked with a kind smile.

"I-yeah, I'm fine" Bell tried his best to smile and wipe the tears away.

"But you're crying" She stated with genuine concern.

"Ah, You're alone" She realized forming a sad expression. The tone she said it made it seem like she could feel the pain he was in.

Bell was struggling to rein his emotions in and find anything to say as the woman slowly walked closer to him. "N-n-no, seriously…I'm-"

Bell was cut off as the woman gently took hold of his head and gently hugged him. "It's ok to cry when you're sad." She stated softly. Those words, filled with genuine kindness and understanding that he hadn't felt since coming to Orario, opened the floodgates and Bell cried openly into the unknown woman's embrace; letting go all of the day's frustration.

Bell took a couple of deep breathes to calm himself down and wipe the remaining tears away.

"Now then, don't you feel better?" The woman asked now sitting next to him.

"I do….Thank you" Bell gave a genuine smile to convey his appreciation.

"What's your name boy?" The woman asked

"Bell. Bell Cranel." Bell answered, offering his hand. "And yours?"

"I'm Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth" She exclaimed taking Bell's hand.

"G-g-goddess?!" Bell couldn't believe it! A Goddess! He quickly bowed "I'm so sorry for my disrespectful way of addressing you and that awful state you saw me in!"

"It's fine really. I'm not much for the formalities anyway" Hestia laughed and waved it off with a smile. "So tell me Bell, What happened?"

Bell retold the event that happened since he arrived in Orario leading to the present and his dream in becoming an adventurer.

"I see. I see" Hestia responded, nodding to herself after hearing his tale. "You want to be an adventurer, even though you know it's basically impossible to do?"

Bell caste his eyes down "Yeah… I really just want someone to give me some sort of chance to achieve my dreams. But the Guild won't help me; and I know realistically the Familias wouldn't want me." Bell admitted defeated.

"Then why not join my Familia?" There was a few second s of silent as Hestia's words hung in the air. Bell's eyes slowly widened as he realized what she just offered.

"What?" He asked, thinking he misheard her.

"Join my Familia Bell!" Hestia repeated with the same kind smile she wore when they first met. "I don't have much to offer. You'd be my only Familia member. I can't give you a blessing, but I will promise you won't be alone. As long as I'm in this world, I promise to not leave you alone!" Hestia stood up and held her hand out toward Bell, smiling brightly. "So what do you say Bell? Will you join my Familia?"

Bell just stared at Hestia, still trying to come to terms with everything she said. He could feel the tears begin to form in the corner of his eyes, but quickly wiped them away. He took hold of her outstretched hand and smiled just as brightly and stood up.

"If you're fine with someone like me, then I humbly accept, my Goddess." Hestia's smile grew even wider at those words.

"Welcome to my Familia, Bell" and with that, Hestia wrapped Bell into another hug.

"Now then Bell, even though you can't receive a blessing, I will still perform the ritual since you're my first child!" Hestia exclaimed happily breaking the hug. "But not here! Follow me!"

Hestia guided Bell by the hand through the bustling streets of Orario, happily humming all the way, until they arrived in front of a run down and abandoned looking church.

"This is our home Bell!" Hestia explained happily guiding him inside the church doors. Bell was correct that the church was indeed abandoned, but Hestia walked over to the wall near the alter, and revealed a hidden stairwell that led to a basement with a couch, bed and table.

"Ta-da!" Hestia let go of his hand and stretched her arms out presenting his new home. "Welcome home Bell!"

Bell smiled, looking to his smiling Goddess "I'm Home, Goddess".

Hestia smiled genuinely at his response. "Now then Bell, lay down on the couch on your stomach and without your shirt!"

Bell blushed slightly at her sudden request, but did as he was told. Once he was laying down on the couch, he felt Hestia straddle his lower back.

"Alright Bell, normally with a drop of my blood, you would receive my blessing and gain stats to help you survive your expeditions into the dungeons, but since you're a boy and can't receive my blessings, this'll be for tradition sake" Hestia explained..

"That's Ok, Goddess" Bell's muffled response came.

"Mou, no need to be so formal Bell! Just Hestia is fine!" Hestia whined childishly with a pout. Bell chuckled in response.

Hestia pricked her finger with a needle just enough to draw a drop of blood and let it drop onto Bell's exposed back, expecting it to just splatter upon impact.

But instead, the blood hit Bell's back and a light spread across his back. Once the light faded, Hestia's jaw dropped. There, on his back was her Familia Crest and stats:

Bell Cranel

Lvl 1

STR: 110 H

END: 97 I

DEX: 100 H

AGI: 201 G

MAG: 0

SKILL: LIARIS FREESE - Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects correspond with the level of the user's feelings

She couldn't believe it! Bell Cranel had just received her blessing!

Somehow, Bell, a boy, was able to receive her, a Goddess's, blessing!

"Godd- I mean, Hestia!? What happened? What going on?" Bell frantically asked feeling something coursing through his body.

"You…. You received my Blessing Bell…" came the stunned reply of Hestia. "You're an adventurer".

Silence filled the room as the fact of what Hestia revealed settled in. When it did…

"EHHHHHHHHH!?"

:Somewhere in Babel:

High above the city of Orario, in the Tower of Babel, stood a woman wearing a very revealing black and red outfit that hugged her sensual frame firmly, along with matching gloves. Her looks were the envy of women and Goddesses alike and her beauty was sought after by men and Gods the like. Her name was Freya, Goddess of Beauty, and also the Goddess of the Freya Familia, strongest Familia in Orario.

She sat on her throne comfortably, observing the people of Orario, looking for anyone to pique her interest with her discerning eye. Normally, she would catch a fancy here and there as the day went on, but nothing would hold her attention for too long. Today however, she was able to catch a glimpse of something wonderful. While looking over the city, she saw him. A young child, a boy, with white hair and red eyes, running through the streets of Orario, smiling innocently all the way. His appearance caught her attention as he reminded Freya like an adorable rabbit. But what really caught Freya's attention was his soul. It was something she had never seen before. Every soul Freya saw had some colour to it. But not this boy's. It was completely transparent, it was beautiful to her eye, and she fell in love with it

Her interest definitely piqued, Freya continued to watch the boy as he wandered around and eventually made it to the Guild and revealed his intentions of being an adventure, even if it was impossible for a man to become one. She watched as his soul seemed to flair and dance beautifully as his resolve to become something he couldn't was challenged. She then watched him run out and find an alley to hid and become depressed all by his lonesome. Even when he was depressed and alone, his soul remained transparent.

Then Hestia arrived. Freya couldn't help but frown slightly as she watched the Goddess of the Hearth comfort the boy. Freya began to twirl and fiddle with her hair as she continued to watch.

"Oh my…fufufu…it would appear I'm feeling a bit…jealous of Hestia…" Freya chuckled noticing her subconscious habit.

And finally, Freya was treated to something absolutely amazing. The boy that held her attention already, allowed her to witness something that even SHE thought to be impossible.

"Fufufufu… my my my. You get more interesting don't you, my little rabbit" Freya smiled as she watched the events unfold. "No fair Hestia, taking something from me before I could even get the chance to take it fufufu" Freya laid a hand over the image of the boy down below!

"No fair at all… fufufufu"

HEY GUYS! Asian here! Hope you enjoy! This is my first crack at one of my favorite animes ever! Let me know what you liked, and what i could improve! I'm trying to get back into writing now that my life finally slowed down! SO here is my attempted come back! As for my other story "Jaune's Sick Days", its NOT dead. I have the chapters outlined, I just need to write them out and upload them. SO expect them soon...ish! Anyway, Have a good one guys! be Safe!

WARNING: This story IS a Bell Harem, cause you know, why not? Also SOME characters WILL be gender-bent (only if they were originally male)... like Welf because, I'm a degenerate haha!

Also, this story will try to follow the source material (LN, Anime, Manga) but i'm also trying to make it original so... perfectly balanced, as all things should be...hopefully.

Be Back soon... hopefully!

-Asian