12A/N: Welcome to chapter 2 of 'Healing and Feeling'.
I have decided that I will upload mostly on weekends. I decided to do this because it makes it easier for me. Also, each of my fan fiction's will have chapters out as soon as I finish them. I will be constantly switching between the two, sorry if that sucks, but I kinda have to /:
I hope you enjoy the chapter! ;v;
-January 6th, Bell's Pov-
Status -
Name: Bell Cranel
Power: 0I - 27I
Endurance: 0I - 54I
Dexterity: 0I - 43I
Agility: 0I - 72I
Magic: 0I - 36I
Skills: []
Abilities: []
"There's your status!" Miach exclaimed, showing me the originally blank sheet of paper that now has numbers on it, my status. "Great work for your first dive." He stated, but instantly changed to a look of worry. "I understand that you're cautious in the dungeon, Bell, but I don't want you to ever risk anything. Got that?" He asked seriously, causing my expression to tighten and become more serious.
"Yes!" I exclaim with conviction, I will never betray the trust that Miach and Naaza have put in me by letting me join their familia. "So, to take a break how about you learn how to run the shop?" Miach asks. I thought about it for a while, the suggestion rolling on my tongue. Eventually, I decided.
"Sure! If either you or Naaza can't run the place, then I can." I stated with a sound argument, both Miach and Naaza nodded at my answer. "Training you will actually be fairly simple. It's the practical part I worry about." Miach explained, to which I wholeheartedly agreed with. I haven't known either Miach or Naaza for very long, but my personality isn't exactly hard to decipher. I'm not a very 'skilled' spokesperson, that's for sure.
"I agree. So, when do we get started?" I questioned, showing the enthusiasm on my face. In all honesty, I haven't had much responsibilities ever since my family... passed. Miach put on a thoughtful look, hand rose to his chin, and let out a soft hum of thought. "Actually, we could just start now. If you want, anyways." He stated. My beaming smile blasted through any reservations I had. I like to train, it's one of my favorite past times.
"I'd love to!" I exclaimed happily. If my face could produce sunlight, then both Miach's and Naaza's eyes would've been wincing from the brightness on my face (more like burnt off, but whatever). Instead of that though, Miach let out a loud chortle, while Naaza is softly chuckling to herself. "We don't necessarily need to start now, but ultimately, it's your choice Bell." Miach inserted, suddenly bringing a halt to the cheerful mood.
I nodded my head in response. "Ok! Well, I'll let Naaza do the teaching. I have to go to this 'Meeting of The Gods' dinner party." He said as he turned around and left, leaving me slightly baffled. 'The timing is pretty terrible' I think to myself, while turning over to look at Naaza's surprised face, it's pretty funny. I let out a small chuckle, and in turn brought Naaza back to world of the living.
"I-I guess we begin then?" She asked, to which I nodded my head. She nods back, while walking to the door that led to the main shop. "Come on." She said, so I got up and followed after her. "So how is this gonna work?" I questioned. I lived on a farm and did farm work, I have no clue how this is supposed to work. Naaza turned around as she got to the shops front counter.
"We'll be going over the basics for how to run the shop." She began. She then went on to explain things about the shop such as: how to talk to customers, what each item does, and sometimes there will be people who cause a disturbance, and that it's our job to throw them out. "Don't worry if they're too strong for you right now. I'll be here, so you most likely won't have to deal with that." She went on and on.
Oddly enough, the work isn't that hard, it's actually pretty enjoyable. It's been around 3 hours since Naaza taught me the basics, and I'm sitting at the front waiting for customers. Apparently today, Wednesday, is a slow day, as in not many people come in. "Hm~" I began to hum a simple tune whilst waiting for customers, it's not even that boring since Naaza's here with me.
*Jingle* The bell's from the door jingle as they open. "Welcome to the Blue Pharmacy." I greet, still behind the counter. The person in question is red-haired, around 175cm's, and has light grey-blue eyes. He's also wearing a black kimono with a scarf on his neck. "Yo!" He greeted. I couldn't help but smile at his cheerful demeanor, it was pretty contagious. Though smiling is technically mandatory for customers, this one is more sincere.
Following what Naaza taught me, I continued, though not without a slight stutter. "W-What would you be looking for today?" I asked, I really couldn't help but be nervous, after all, he's my first customer. "Hmmm... happen to have any potions?" He asked. My response was pretty much immediate. "We have lots of potions, prices are 175 valis for heavily diluted potions, 260 for slightly diluted, and 500 for pure potions." I explained. The man nodded thoughtfully.
"I'll take 2 slightly diluted potions, and 1 pure potion please." He asked, I nodded and opened up the cabinet that holds potions. I place the 3 potions on the counter, "That would be 1020 valis please." I say. The man grins and places the money on the counter. "There's a small tip in there for bein' polite!" He exclaimed merrily with a laugh. "Haha! It's funny, because it's actually my first day." I mention, the man's smile only widens.
"So you're new here, eh? Well, the names Welf, Welf Crozzo." He told me, so I replied with my name. "Mine's Bell Cranel, it's nice to meet you Crozzo-san." I reply with a smile. "Oi, none of that -san stuff! Just call me welf!" He exclaimed, to which I nodded. "Ok Welf!" I exclaimed happily.
Being so focused on my first customer, I failed to see Naaza smiling warmly.
-Naaza's Pov-
'He's a natural at this...' I thought, while watching him converse with the person he just met, Welf Crozzo. I frowned remembering the name, although I have no personal vendetta against their family, they don't exactly have the greatest reputation. Can't deny that their good smiths though.
"Welp, see ya another time Bell!" Welf exclaimed as he waved to Bell. Bell waved back with a dumb smile on his face. It's pretty funny in all honesty, I couldn't help but let out a small giggle. Though as soon as it came out I put my hand over my mouth, my cheeks flaring. Bell turned around, 'Why'd he have to notice!' I yell in my mind.
"Did you say something Naaza?" He asked, I shook my head quickly, causing my ears to flop from side to side. "Okay then... so, how did I do!?" He questioned excitedly. His behavior made me laugh wholeheartedly, even though he was doing it unintentionally. "What? Did I not do good..." He muttered, head downcast. I hurriedly shook my head and responded. "You did extremely well, actually. In all honesty, you're a natural at this, although there were some slight stutters, but that was taken care of as soon as you got familiar with the customer." I complimented.
He beamed. He actually beamed. 'Does he have a skill?' I questioned in my mind. Because, he was literally sparkling right now! Beams of light were stemming off of his face from the smile. "Thanks Naaza!" He exclaimed, still shining brightly. "N-No problem." I quickly reply, hoping that he would stop beaming soon, it was starting to hurt my eyes.
"Does that mean my training is over?" He questioned, I stifled a chuckle at the question. "Of course, although that doesn't mean your a master of business now!" I stated sternly, to which he nodded repeatedly, making me believe that he has some sort of speed skill as well. 'Maybe he's just special?' I question inwardly, unsure of the real answer. I decide to ponder on it later, and just focus on work for now.
"So... what now?" Bell asked. Once again, I had to stifle a chuckle. "We continue what we're doing. This is pretty much how it is for most days, although today is a slow day, so don't get too relaxed." I explained, emphasizing the 'don't get too relaxed' part. He nodded slowly, seeming to think on something before deciding to speak his mind.
"Are there any other jobs to do here?" He questioned thoughtfully. I'm honestly surprised by his determination to do work. I thought about it for a moment, thinking about all of the jobs he could do here. "There are a few... one is restocking, another is cleaning the place, third is potion making, but don't worry about that one. Finally, the dangerous job. Getting rare medicinal items from the dungeon." I explained, not bothering to hide the fear in my voice.
That moment still haunts me. The moment that I lost my arm.
(A/N: I am not good at this stuff, sorry if it is bad!)
-Flashback-
It was a normal day like any other. I went on my usual trip through the dungeon. I'd recently become level two, and was feeling cocky.
I went to the dungeon on my own.
I guess it wasn't a normal day like any other then... but whatever, that's not the point. I got cocky and decided to head down further than usual when I go solo. The floor I'd normally go to was the 8th or 9th floor, but that time I decided to brave the 10th without the proper preparations. Oh what a foolish mistake that'd been.
I walked through the walls of the 9th floor, shooting at anything that moved. I used a bow, still do, but can't use it as effectively anymore. I entered that foggy floor. The one that still gives me nightmares from time to time.
I swaggered through. Knocking arrows constantly, taking out any monster that I saw. I have to say, I was pretty lucky for the first hour I was in there.
Then my luck ran out.
Instantly I realized something was wrong. I looked around, however the fog denied my vision. I suddenly got slashed in the back. "Ah!" I screamed in pain. I instantly spun around, bow extending, intending to bash the enemy away. Though the enemy dodged. It was a single imp, although not something to take lightly, it's not something that is a threat really. At least on its own it is not.
I failed to realize that I'd been surrounded by 5 of them. "Damn..." I cursed under my breath. I was out of options, so I made the quick decision of using my magic. "Darbh Daol." I muttered. Countless black beetles came from my arms, instinctively latching themselves onto the enemies. Two imps became essentially disabled from the bugs, another two were slowed down quite a bit, whilst the single one wasn't affected at all.
The single imp prepared to leap at me. I knocked an arrow and pulled my bowstring back. It leapt. I instantly released the arrow, piercing the imp straight through its forehead. It dropped dead on the ground. I sighed in relief, although at the time I should've been more vigilant.
SLASH! A claw went straight down my right arm, leaving a long claw mark along it. "AH!" I screeched in more pain than before. I instantly reacted by throwing left fist straight at its skull. It flew away from the strike, leaving me panting heavily. I hadn't realized at the time that the imps had escaped from my beetles, gods know how.
SLASH! I took another slash to the same arm. My luck was absolutely horrid. This time, instead of being able to react instantly, the single imp ravaged my arm, leaving it loose and dangling. "AHHH!" I let out another cry of pain. I reacted by using my escape option. A flash bang.
FLASH! A bright light instantly overtook the area. As soon as the light went off I ran in the other direction, not stopping. Well, it was more like I couldn't stop, I was high on adrenaline at the time. It's not like any of the adventurers would've helped me. They all gave me looks of pity as I ran by them, but none of worry or concern, just pity.
I looked down at my arm while I was running, but as soon as I did I had flashbacks to the imps clawing at me. The blood splashing everywhere, dyeing my vision, and making my arm look crimson in comparison to its normal cream color. It frightened me, so I focused all of my attention and willpower on getting back to the surface.
I was extremely frustrated, in pain, and sad, but I couldn't bother to care at the time. I reached the surface within an hour. As soon as I saw that sunlight, I collapsed.
-Present Time-
A few hours later and I'm on a table getting my arm cut off. I was supposed to be asleep for the operation, however for some reason the drugs didn't take effect. Yeah... I was awake for my arm being cut off. The mere sight of the blood caused me to freeze. Even after the event I refused to move, I simply couldn't, my fear of the blood had overtaken my body and mind.
The scent of blood didn't help either.
"N...z... Na...z... Naaza!" My head shot upwards at the sound of my name. Bell held a face full of concern and worry, something that I'd only been shown to by Miach. "Sorry, I was lost in thought." I state. "So, as I was saying. Those are the jobs that can be done here, although you'd probably already be doing the collection jobs because you work here." I explained, to which he nodded.
"Ok, thanks Naaza!" He exclaimed happily. "No need to thank me. You joining the Miach Familia is more than enough for me. Anyways, you can take the rest of the day off now." I said calmly. Bell had a slight frown on his face, but didn't argue and just went to the back to get some rest for the days to come.
'Forgot to tell him about haggling, but I'll leave that for another time.' I think to myself.
A/N: Done!
I introduced Welf early because Welf is awesome! NO DENYING IT! Like seriously, he is like Bell's best bro in the story (also his only actual guy friend, not counting Hermes).
Really sorry if the flashback was total trash! I do not think that I am very good with tragic events, in all honesty I suck at them. Sorry!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! /\^/\