Bell didn't dare slow down for even a moment, quickening his pace as he headed toward Orario.
But something curious happened: though he was prepared to encounter monsters along the way, he didn't see so much as a trace of one.
This, of course, wasn't a bad thing. Thanks to this stroke of luck, he was able to move much faster.
After crossing plains and hills, he soon reached a main road.
Bell noticed wheel tracks on the ground—not fresh ones, but old enough to have been there for a while.
---
Realizing this, Bell didn't dare continue walking on the main road.
Though he was poor enough that no one would bother robbing him, he knew trouble wasn't always about theft. Sometimes, the danger lay in seeing something he shouldn't.
"Don't see what you shouldn't. Don't say what you shouldn't."
Bell had always understood that truth, so the only time he allowed himself to express his thoughts was during midday breaks, when he would take out a notebook and write in his journal—just enough to keep himself from suffocating in silence.
Fortunately, he wasn't much of a talker. Sometimes, moving forward in quiet focus made the journey feel lighter than idle chatter ever could.
Once he noticed the wheel tracks, Bell slowed his pace to avoid running into other travelers.
Though he was moving more cautiously now, he still covered a good distance each day—just with greater awareness.
---
After several days of careful travel, something strange happened on the fourth day: Bell's body was adapting. His stamina was improving, his steps becoming lighter and swifter.
His "Loner Training" skill—he had studied its description carefully—was supposed to grant experience after battles. But… where were these stat gains coming from if he hadn't fought anything?
After some thought, he found his answer in the words "personal training."
The concept of *"battle"* was broad. Training was also a form of combat—a way to accumulate strength. So any action that strengthened his body counted as a "fight" in the loosest sense.
Understanding this, Bell grasped just how absurd his *"Early Bloomer"* skill was. No wonder the original protagonist with this ability had been so monstrous.
This wasn't something ordinary effort could match.
"Early Bloomer" was practically a cheat for gaining experience—just with slightly looser restrictions.
What Bell had now wasn't inferior to the original's *"One-Man Army"*—if anything, its applications were even more versatile.
---
Still, Bell didn't waste his time recklessly abusing this skill. At least, not until he reached Orario. Overexerting himself now would only delay his arrival.
He recalled something he'd once heard: "Living in the wilderness is hard enough. Just focus on surviving."
Spending energy every day on the road, staying alert for other travelers… that was already exhausting. If he pushed himself too hard with training, he'd only slow himself down.
---
As time passed, the wheel tracks on the road grew fresher, and footprints began appearing.
More people were passing through.
That was when Bell decided to travel at night.
Moving along the roadside in the dark was risky, but so was traveling by day. Besides, the closer he got to the forest, the safer it became—where there were people, ordinary monsters wouldn't approach so easily.
After several nights of walking, Bell's eyes adjusted to the darkness. Under the faint glow of moonlight and stars, he could make out shapes in the blackness.
This wasn't some divine ability—just his body adapting, like a nocturnal animal.
Thanks to this, he could travel longer in the dark, inching ever closer to Orario.
---
Finally, after fifteen days and nights of travel, Bell reached a spot less than ten kilometers from Orario. The city built atop the Dungeon loomed in the distance—but so did more people.
"Orario's right there. Next step: enter the city, register as an adventurer with the Guild… and find the right Familia."
Bell began considering his options. Choosing the right Familia was crucial—it would determine his future growth.
The stronger the Familia, the more support he'd have in the early stages.
But getting into a top-tier Familia wasn't easy. Unless he demonstrated exceptional abilities, it was nearly impossible.
With his *"Dimensional Storage"* skill, joining *"Loki Familia"* would be almost guaranteed.
Space-related abilities were exceedingly rare, and one that allowed unlimited item storage? That was invaluable—especially for Familias that regularly ventured into the Dungeon.
Reducing the weight they carried would let them delve deeper and haul back more treasure.
But Bell had other options in mind.
"Loki Familia"* was a solid choice, but… what about *"Hestia Familia"?
Hestia was a kind goddess who deeply cherished her children—as seen in the original story with the other "Bell."
"Choosing between a loving goddess and a powerful Familia… really isn't easy."
Bell rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the decision.