Can Adventures Last Forever?

by Silver W. King

A young man is given the chance to live a life of adventure and fantasy in a world he only read about in anime and manga. Now if only the crazy things that he keeps getting dragged into by his annoying goddess, or the people he meets would just stop, he would be satisfied and content with just murdering monsters from the dungeon. [Self Insert. Light Fusion with Nasuverse]

1. Chapter 1

AN: All the characters have been aged so that by canon they would be four years older than their canon counterparts.

First Year 1:

Year 991 A.G. (After Gods Descended)

I stood in front of the Guild's entrance. Not right at the door of course. Odds are it would open right then smacking me in the face, and making me fall on my ass and look stupid for a comedic moment.

I didn't know how it happened, but suddenly I found myself in anime world. Well, more like manga. I'm not sure if it had an anime made yet. Either way, I found myself in the world of "Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?", or rather DanMachi for short.

I was lucky enough that I found a Goddess right away. God knows (heh) what I would have done with myself. I had no money or anything but my clothes. At least its my going-out clothes and a jacket. It's weird going from winter to summer, or well it feels more like spring in Orario.

Language doesn't seem to be a problem thankfully, so there is that. I was now standing in front of the Guild, about to register as an adventurer and begin my life as a dungeon crawler.

I...really don't want to think too hard about everything that's going on. I feel I might start crying and have a nervous break down. Hell, my eyes are getting teary now. I quickly rub them off.

Okay, I can do this. I felt like cold gears turning in my stomach. My right hand kept on shaking, even clenching and opening it. My palms were sweaty and my knees were weak—

"That's it, I need to really just get on with this, if I'm starting to thinking in m&m's lyrics." I muttered to myself. I grabbed my right hand with my left, forcing my nerves to settle. It mildly worked.

Alright, I can do this. I started walking. Just go in, register, get equipment on a loan, and walk into local tourist monster death trap—

"Adventurer-sama, Adventurer-sama, could I have moment of your time?" A calm yet cheery child-like voice called out next to me.

And just like that my momentum was dashed before it even started. I turned to the speaker, a reply on my mouth to quickly tell them I'm not interested in what they are selling, but the moment I laid eyes on them, the words got stuck in my mouth, for two very important reasons.

The first reason, they were a child in what looked like a ragged cloak. I was never good with child beggars. I just wanted to run away from them, say it's someone else's problem, and pray nothing bad happens to them so sate my conscious. A despised and cowardly thing, I tried not to think about.

"This may be sudden, but are you in need of a Supporter?"

The other reason was because, I think for the first time, I actually stopped and focused to look at something that really made the notion "this is a fantasy world" resonate in my head.

"How the hell are you standing?" I blurted out before I could think. Dammit.

But seriously, how was she standing? In front of me, this little girl was carrying a backpack taller and wider than her entire small frame. Heck, I'm pretty sure the girl and a friend of hers could have a slumber party in that thing.

"...Eh?" She looked taken aback, my respond probably not what people usually said to her.

"Like literally, how are you standing? That back looked packed full, it's bigger than even you and yet you don't even seem winded by it. Like, holy crap, I...just...have no words." I covered my mouth with my hand as I took the scene before me. "Just how strong are you?"

"Ah, ah, ah Adventurer-sama, please calm down. Lili's feat is not as grand as you think it is." She was gesturing wildly with her hands, trying to placate me. But really, I am mostly calm. Just...amazed. Seeing this in real life versus a computer screen is far too different. "This is just the normal abilities of a Supporter, that's all. If Lili couldn't do this much, she would been used as bait for monsters a long time ago."

I blinked as what she last said connected in my head. "What?" I looked at her with wide-eyes. Was she joking or...or does she really mean that?

"Lili is joking, Adventurer-sama." Said Lili having noticed my expression. "Lili is too skinny to be used as bait." She laughed it off. I couldn't.

I mean, I knew a few things were messed up with this world, like in any anime world, but, but not this much...right? I mean beyond the yandere goddess after the main character of the story, Bell, things aren't that bad in this world, right?

"Right, um..." I didn't know how to move this conversation along. It looked like the girl, Lili, did though.

"So, Adventurer-sama. If you would be so kind, could you have Lili accompany you as your Supporter please. Lili has been able to afford food for a few days now." She said holding her stomach.

Usually would dismiss words like this, and justify it to myself later on with the beggar, having been acting. But as if on cue, her stomach let out a growl. Just, fuck, I need to sit down. Out of old habit, I pinched the bridge of my nose as I focused on my breath to try and calm down. I hated complicated social situations.

"Look, um," I moved to the side of the entrance and sat down on the stairs facing the girl. "First, what's your name?"

"Liliruca Arde of the Soma Familia, Adventurer-sama," she answered with a cheerful smile while standing in front of me. I would rather she sat down, so it doesn't seem like I was acting superior to her, but honestly right now, I was able to look her in the eyes. ...She's really short. "Adventurer-sama...why does Lili feel like you have a wrong impression of her?"

"You're imagining it," I said quickly, but with dignity. I think. "Look, anyways, nice to meet you. I'm Silver W. King, and—"

"Wooooah, to be named after a precious metal like that, and your family name is 'King', Adventurer-sama must be a rich and great person." Liliruca clasped her hands together as she looked at me with stars in her eyes.

"More like a pretentious first name, and an overly ambitious last one." I quipped back, sarcasm letting me feel myself falling into a familiar, usable rhythm.

"...What?" Liliruca looked confused at my self-deprecating humor. Not sure why, that's odd.

Okay, focus. Supporter. No clue what that is. Then again, I only read DanMachi manga till Bell killed a gorilla. Silver-something or other. ...Maybe I should have used something other than my internet username. Oh well, too late to take it back now.

Either way, when I think about it, isn't this like an encounter? The hero meeting his future nakama and all? I mean, out of nowhere this girl is talking to me of all people, maybe there is something to that. Okay, let's just learn everything I can at the moment.

"Look, Liliruca-san, first I have no idea at all what you're saying. So could you please explain what a Supporter is?" I asked.

"Ah, of course, Silver-sama, never needed a Supporter that he never heard of them."

"Not exactly, no."

"Very well, please let this lowly Supporter explain her pitiful existence."

I gritted my teeth behind my closed mouth, trying not to frown. I wasn't succeeding. Thankfully, Liliruca had began her explanation.

"As the Dungeon is a place where the brave Adventurers fight monsters, and explore deeper and deeper for greater riches and glory, they always face pesky problems like having to collect Magic Stones from the monster corpses, or having to deal with the monster corpses littering the battlefield and that would inconvenience them. That's where us Supporters come in. We take care to clear the battlefield from the corpses and cut out the Magic Stones so the noble Adventurers don't lose time on these tasks. It's an advantageous arrangement that Adventurers maximize their abilities and fight to their heart's content. There is absolutely, zero disadvantage for the Adventurers, so what do you say, Silver-sama. Would you take Lili with you to the Dungeon?" As she finished her presentation, Liluruca looked at me expectingly.

I took a deep breath, pinched the bridge of my nose, and organized my thoughts. There are so many things that is wrong here. I don't know what, but my gut feeling it buzzing about this. The words of my Goddess came back to me.

"This isn't your world, so you may face a lot of scene and events you would reject or dismiss. Do not react! Observe and learn, then act on the information you gain."

My guts still told me something was off, but before that, I still needed to clarify something to this girl, so I don't cause a misunderstanding, and not to end up tricking her.

"I see, thank you, Liliruca-san. However, I think you might not want to work with me." I began to explain.

"But, but why!?" The petite girl dramatically cried out as she latched onto my sleeve. I tried to calmly unlatch her, while explaining.

"I think you would like to work with more experienced Adventurers, Liliruca-san,"

"Lili can see that Silver-sama will be great in no time!"

"Because—Actually that's not possible—because I only started as an Adventurer today."

"...Eh?" She finally let go.

"I don't want you to get the wrong idea about me, Liliruca-san, but I'm not that good of an Adventurer. Or rather, I haven't even gotten to the point of even being called 'bad'. I just became an Adventurer today. Or to be more correct, I got my Falna an hour ago. I am just about to go register in the Guild now."

Liliruca blinked a few times, looking at me, really looking for the first time.

"I'm sorry, but I think you'll be better off with, quite literally, any other Adventurer. So..." I stood up and made to leave. God dammit. The silence just became this twisted thing that kept gnawing at both of us. Fuck, why do I always, just, can't end a conversation right?

"Wait, Silver-sama!" Liliruca called out.

I stopped, already mid-turn to leave, but wanting to hear her out, so as not to look like a douche.

"Silver-sama, are you... excuse this lowly Supporter for asking this, but are you from a famous Familia?"

"Literally the first and only member of the Nike Familia."

"But your clothes are really high quality?" She asked.

...Huh, I looked rich? I guess I could see where the confusion came from. The clothes do look really well made, and from the common person's perception, they are very rich fabrics and with little to no wear and tear.

...I could probably sell these and have some pocket money while getting some adventuring clothes and gear.

"These are my best and only clothes. It's just...it's a long story." I finished lamely. "Um," the awkward silence was back. I looked around, there was nothing, just people walking and life going about. I looked back at Liliruca and she was looking at me puzzled.

"Very well," the girl quickly recovered, or rather, it might be my imagination, but something about her changed. "It is not Lili's business, but still, Lili insists. Silver-sama will really benefit from having a Supporter, especially since he's starting out. Supporters are invaluable for knowing about the Dungeon Monsters, routes and safe places. So please accept Lili!" She bowed.

I rubbed the back of my head. Damn, I'm made a kid grovel. I really felt like an ass.

"Okay, okay, just stop!" I waved my hands for her to stop. Feeling invisible eyes on me from this melodramatic scene we were doing. "Look, come here, sit down." I sat again at the stair and she followed, putting her back aside to sit next to me.

I kept thinking about it. About this girl, her situation, that seems right out of an abusive home and this world, that smacked me right in the face on the first day, that it ain't all sunshine and roses barring the hellhole in the ground. No, odds are, the Dungeon will be worse.

Something was off with this girl, but if I was going to spend time with her from now on, I sure as hell I'm not going to ignore it. It was fine in my old life to just life without being concerned beyond those I knew. But in this case, this is someone from a different life that what I'm used to, or what I have experienced that I will deal with on a daily basis. At least for what little I can I'll try to make thing better. Whatever 'better' is or might be. Also, it's just common decency, right?

"Look, since I am starting out, I'll be more of a burden to you than anything else. Not only that, I don't think you can support someone that can't even support themselves."

"Lili, with Silver-sama's permission, would like to help him out in the beginning to get used to the Dungeon." She replied cheerfully.

"I also have conditions," her eyes seem to light up a little, as thought she was seeing something familiar. "One, stop with the 'sama' part. 'San' or no suffix works just fine. We're going to be partners right? Or rather, you're basically going to be my teacher, with me mooching off your experience, for the foreseeable future. So again, stop with the 'sama'."

"What? Lili can't—"

"Ah, ah, ah, I'm not done." I interrupted her. "Second, the loot we'll end up getting, we'll split it 60/40. You get the 60%" I immediately raised a hand to cut off any argument. "I know, it's arrogent of me, a complete newbie of an Adventurer, to demand that much of the spoils, but I have my Goddess to look after. So please understand. If that's unacceptable, then I promise to pay you back." I said with my head bowed this time, waiting for her reply.

Liliruca was quiet. In fact she was quiet for a long while. When I raised my head to look at her, she look bewildered and unable to know how to act. Like her earlier confidence was from a script that no longer applied.

"Silver-sama, it would disrespectful and might cause trouble to other Supporters if I were to act overly familiar with Adventurer-samas like you."

"Forget other people. Everyone has their own lives and are busy with it. It's not like they are all waiting for Adventurers and Supporters to act different from the norm and, and..." I racked my brain for an example. "And throw an inquisition for it." Liliruca's lips twitched at that. "And even if they did, well fu- screw them." Damn, I almost cursed in front of a kid. She actually looked more amused now.

"Mere rumors can and have toppled nations before, Silver-sama." I flicked her forehead. "Ow!"

"What did I say? And I'll deal with that problem if or when it comes up. I'll figure something out then."

"...Very well, Silver-san, but please call Lili, with just Lili, as it's too formal to use 'Liliruca' all the time. After all, it's only right."

"Meh. Would rather you drop the suffix, but I'll take what I can get. Also sure, let's work together, Lili. So, partners." I extended my hand to her.

"Partners, Silver-san." I think she stressed the "san" just then. Liliruca shook my hand.

That crazy day, was the day I woke up in Orario, meet the Goddess Nike from the Greek Mythology, became an Adventurer and met my best friend, Liliruca Arde.

Looking back however...Lili never stopped complaining that she wished she never met me, but I know secretly in her heart, she was really glad she did.

---

First Year 2:

I don't think I've ever felt my heart beating so hard, or my chest feeling as cold, as it was now. My muscles were throbbing from exertion. I was in the fight of my life. My limbs felt hot from the intense effort I put them in.

After meeting with Lili, asked her to go with me to the Dungeon tomorrow, rather than today. I wanted to try out the Dungeon for myself, I said. I registered in the Guild, got them to not only give me a set of armor and short sword on a loan, but also some sturdy adventurer clothes, the could also provide. Of course, it all cost extra for the clothes, but I should be able to pay them back without a problem. I went back to the apartment I was sharing with Nike and gave her my clothes, since she would have a better idea on prices round here. She liked my thinking, so that was a plus.

Maintain a steady breath. I told myself.

The Dungeon was a horrid place as many had warned me. I was told many times, by the Guild employee, Lili and my Goddess to not even think of going past the 1st Floor. I followed that advice.

Don't breath through your mouth. I added.

Yet, the Dungeon didn't offer any recourse, even to a new Adventurer. It welcomed me with a greeting of its most terrifying monsters.

Run with long strides, for distance and speed. I mentally reminded myself.

Goblins. Evil nasty little green creatures. Two of them to be exact.

"Kekekeh! Kekekeh! Kekekeh!"

Whom I was currently running away from.

"WHYYY? WHY DID I THINK DOING THIS ALONE? FUCK MACHO STEREOTYPE BULLSHIT AND BRAVERY! WHY DIDN'T I JUST COME HERE WITH LILI? AAAAAAEEHHHAAAAA!"

I would like to note, as a future memo to myself, in case anyone had seen me running, I was not crying. The water in my eyes were from sweat. Again, I was not crying, I was shouting in manly retreat.

"Was that guy crying?"

Of course, any Adventurers that happened to have been close, or notice me, didn't bother lifting a finger in my direction. Assholes.

There were lucky I was too scared out of my mind not to run in their direction.

Although, I would like to mention that there is a reason I was running like a bit—Tactically retreating.

For you see, I had lost my sword.

I know, horrible, but those Goblins are sneaky little fuckers. I will have my revenge of course, when I get out of the Dungeon and come back with a bigger sword. At least I managed to kill one of the original three, and nick the other two, one of whom was chasing me was waving my sword in the air.

"Keke- Ehkeke, keke!"

The Goblins cries sounded different. I think they are also getting further away. I looked back while trying not to slow down and saw:

A Werewolf.

"FUCK! WHY!?" I looked forward and pushed everything into running faster, even with my legs burning. "WHY IS THERE A WEREWOLF ON THE FIRST FLOOR? THIS IS TOO FUCKING HIGH LEVELED DAMMIT! WHYYY?"

"GRRRRAH!"

Even what looked like a meter away, I could feel its breath on my back, and swipes in the air, which I think were its claws. I didn't bother looking back, but instinctively pushed my belly forward, to arc my back away from its swipes. I felt its claws gazing the back cuirass. I should have fixed my posture running, but I couldn't think.

I saw the path I was in, split at a T-section. I spread my left arm, letting it slide on the wall for balance and quickly ran into the turn. I heard a thud and a growl behind me, and looked.

HA! The stupid wolf couldn't adjust himself and smacked into the T-section wall.

Alright, it was time to lose this dumb dog, and—

I instantly forced myself to slowdown upon seeing the wall coming at me. It was only because I prepared myself, that I easily regained my balance when I smacked into it.

"ARRGH, FUCK!"

Okay, I should find another path and...

My skin felt hot from the activity I was in, or rather externally my body felt heated. Inside however, I felt a cold dread spread up from my stomach and out into every corner of my body.

It was a dead end. I was trapped with only way out blocked by a monster.

"...No,"

My back was against the wall. The realization that, this would be it, I might die here and now creeped on me. Then it hit me all at once.

"No, no, no..."

The wolfman had righted itself, and ran at me. I never dealt with a rabid dog in old life, but I imagine it would be like this. If said dog was giantic and could walk like a person, with giant muscles and claws.

"No, no, nononononoNO—"

The Werewolf jumped forward, its jaw open and its hands ready to grab and pin me down.

Instinctively I raised my arms, and thankfully that stopped most of the damaged.

I felt the monster slam into me, causing me to hit the wall and be rattled in my armor. His teeth had thankfully sunk into the left-arm vambrace I was wearing, with this claws grabbing and digging into my arm to hold it.

For the most part, other than sheer massive terror, I was fine, even if I didn't think that at the moment. The vambrace was holding, and while its claws wear digging into my elbow and hand, I couldn't feel them from the adrenaline rush at the moment.

However, this situation couldn't last. Soon, it would munch through the armor and rip my arm out. It would kill me and eat me piece by piece.

I was scared, I was crying, I didn't want to die!

This wasn't like any fantasy adventures at all. Everything had been scary and horrible, and why was it all so difficult from the get go? I'm going to die right when my adventure began, here on the first floor. I don't wanna die.

The Werewolf was growling, I think for a lucid moment, I could see glee in its eyes. Pleasure at my fear and suffering. The armor began to tighten, and whine from the pressure of the wolfman's jaws.

I didn't wanna die.

The words kept ringing in my clattering thoughts.

I didn't wanna die.

My mind was emptying except for that one thought.

I didn't wanna die.

How!?

My fist flew out, hitting the monster in its sides.

Fight!

The idea was only clear in my head after my body had moved. So that's what I did. Without hesitation or thinking, I started laying punches on the Werewolf's side. Into its rip-cage, into its kidney, I didn't think, I just wanted it away from me.

It didn't like that. its left arm let go of my hand, and it started slashing at me. its claws hitting the armor, the shirt under it, anything it could dig into.

"GAH, FUCK YOU!"

I punched harder. Trying to put my knuckle into its stomach. I knew that punching with a closed fist, is supposedly not the correct way to punch and is more likely to hurt you (or was that in case you punch someone in the face), but I didn't care. I just wanted this damn thing gone and dead!

"GROAAH!"

I didn't know if it intended it, or it was luck, but right when I was pulling my arm back, its clawed hand latched out and grabbed my forearm, pushing it away.

"GRAAAAH!" I screamed in rage and frustration. I tried to move my right arm, or shake his teeth off my left one. Yet it was holding on, slowly pinning me down.

No! I will not die here!

In a small moment of clarity, I looked down to see the Werewolf standing with its legs spread wide to steady itself. I didn't know if the monster had the same organs generally as humans did, and if it had genitals, since it was birthed from the Dungeon, it shouldn't need any, but I knew it had nerves. At least the Goblins did given they were in pain from my hits, so it should be the same for the wolfman.

I kneed him in the dick.

"GRAH!" It grunted in shook. its mouth didn't let go, but its bite weakened.

"YEAH, GO FUCK YOURSELF!" I push him away and then shot my leg out to trip him. It started falling and I jumped up on top of it. It still didn't left go of my arm. Its right hand was now free, letting go of my right elbow, and started hitting me from the side by it.

I pushed down with my right arm, even with it in its mouth, to try to pin his bicep. It partially worked, but the beast seeing the tables turned, renewed it's effort. It bit hard through the vambrace, through the armor and into the flesh. Its right hand started hitting harder and it let go of my left arm to give itself another limb to attack with. The Werewolf realized it was the one cornered now.

"FUCK YOU!" Thinking back, I was very repetitive and not original.

I grabbed its left arm with my own, pinning it, and then did the only think I could to win.

I pushed my right arm up, letting its upper teeth dig deeper into my skin and muscle, and in turn exposing the beast's neck.

I didn't have a one-line quip for what I did next.

I lunged down and bit into its neck. I didn't think about being disgusted or just doing this to scare it off. It had long passed the point of running away.

I bit down, my teeth digging through fur and flesh. I bit down till I tasted blood, and threw my head up with a piece of the Werewolf's throat in my mouth.

I spat the piece of flesh out and looked down as the wolfman had let go of me to try, and stop the blood gushing out of it's open neck.

I moved, grabbing it's upper and lower jaw with my hand and squeezed.

For a moment, the Werewolf's eyes met my own, and I could see it's fear.

"RAAAAH!"

I pushed the two halves away. I was past the point of focusing on any pain. Be it's the wolf's teeth digging into my hand, or it's hits with it's arm or it trying to shake me off.

I shouted, as the cold in my chest had long since been replaced with a fire that wanted to incinerate and burn all it could find.

The wolf kept struggling, its jaws were strong, but I had desperate wrath.

I pushed.

With a crack, its jaw was broken.

I pushed.

The skin of it's mouth split and cut open its face.

I pushed.

A weak cry could be heard escaping the Werewolf's mouth, as its shaking to throw me off increased.

I pushed and with another crack, I ripped the wolf's head off from its jawline.

I screamed as blood burst out of its head.

I screamed in victory, in relief, in anger, in sorrow, and so many other emotions that I couldn't articulate or identify.

I screamed for the part of normality within me that had died today.

I screamed and I was laughing.

I won and I was alive.

---

I left the Dungeon after that.

I didn't bother picking up the Werewolf's Magic Stone. I didn't know where it was within it's body, and I didn't feel like digging into it's corpse, especially since I didn't have my sword with me. The Goblins were thankfully absent, which was a plus, if it weren't for the fact that they still have my fucking sword, which I was renting!

Another good point, was that I didn't meet any monsters on the way back and out of the Dungeon. I was lucky to find an Adventurer to point me to the quickest way to the exit.

I headed home to my apartment with my Goddess. I was just done for today.

Thinking about Gods, Goddess and Nike in particular, it's actually pretty odd to meet a deity in this world. Not meeting them, that's normal, but rather seeing them for the first time was odd.

It's like when you think of your oldest memory, and you are alive or awake and instantly know your family members. You know your mother, father and even your siblings, all with their names, even though there isn't a memory of them introducing themselves to you. You just know. Like random memories from dreams accumulating and you just know these people, even if you don't have memories from before then.

It is the same with meeting Gods here. You see them, you feel their aura and you just know, in an instinctive way more powerful than anything you can imagine, that the idea of needing proof is ludicrous.

When I first met Nike I was wonderstruck by her. Just standing in her presence was awe-worthy.

She was beautiful, but not in an erotic way. Not too big or too small in bust or waist, but very curvy. She wasn't overly luscious like you would expect from a fanservice girl in an anime. Rather, the first impression I had from her was that she was tall, and her height added to her beauty. "Legs that go on forever" is a phrase I would use for her.

She was beautiful, she was impressive, however...

"PFFFTHHUEHUEHUEHUE! YOU LOOK LIKE YOU GOT CURB-STOMPED ALL THE WAY TO OLYMPIA AND BACK. SERIOUSLY! I BET YOU GOT YOUR ASS HANDED TO YOU ON THE VERY FIRST FLOOR! HUEHUEHUEHUEHUEHUE!"

Her personality was the worst. Or maybe I'm just not compatible with her.

Also seriously, someone teach this poor girl how to laugh. She sounds like an erotically asphyxiated gazelle when she's laughing.

Honestly, the way she was just unabashedly brutal with her words and able to see through you is fucking annoying. She's like a gamer girl with a few college courses in psychology that you want to die for thinking she can read people. Except she happens to get it right everytime.

Maybe I'm rambling because I lost blood and the adrenaline was out of my system, but really...

"Oh shut up! Like you would have done any better." And then I noticed something else. "Where did you get those clothes? You better not have waste the money from my clothes on that!" Nike used to just have this long white robe hugging her figure when I first met her, now she was green dress with a white overcoat and white arm-sleeves with green petals at the top near her shoulder.

"First, I would have won easily. Wouldn't even break a sweat." She held her open hand at her chest, looking up and speaking proudly. Her pose made her look elegant, but from my perspective at this moment, it just made her look like an arrogant braggart whom I wanted to punch in the face, if she had wasted my money. "When I was in Tenkai, I was known as 'the Goddess made of Win', 'the Goddess whom victory follows', and 'that Bitch that doesn't lose, so don't let her in our games'. HA! Truly I was the embodiment of victory itself, envied by all."

"Oi, oi, that last title makes it seem like you were the person everyone excluded from their gathering when they were having fun." I should have restrained myself from badmouthing her. After all, she was a Goddess all things considered, and she could make my life hell.

"You, you..." Her eyes watered.

"Ah, crap."

"WAAAAAA, MY CHILD IS A HORRIBLE MONSTER THAT BULLIES ME!"

Goddammit. For someone with so much outward self-confidence, she can be too easily hurt.

"I SHOULD JUST THROW AWAY THIS POTION I GOT HIM, BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED HE WOULD GET HURT ON HIS FIRST DAY IN THE DUNGEON!"

My eyes widened. I now saw the artistically shaped glass bottle in her hand, which she reared back toward the open window.

"Wait, wait, WAIT STOP! I TAKE IT BACK! I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN IT! YOU'RE THE BEST FRIEND EVERYONE WANTS, AND THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T GET INVITED BECAUSE THEY ARE FIGHTING OVER YOU! JUST WAAAAIT!" I shouted as I grabbed her arm with my good hand and tried to stop her.

Suddenly I was pivoted and found myself on my back on the ground, with Nike sitting on the bed above me smiling down at me. Did...

Did she just judo-throw me?

"Awww, such a nice boy to flatter your Goddess like that. Okay fine, just remember who saved your ass when you landed here lost and with nothing. I won't even dismiss the Adventurer from Athena Familia that I convinced my bestie to lend me and train you for a week, for your cheek."

Was, was she just faking it? But she was crying real tears!

"You're evil."

Damn this woman. She just keeps on flip-flopping between moods, acts without telling me, and I can never figure out what she's thinking or feeling for real.

"Hue, hue, hue, hue."

And her laughing sucks.

---

First Year 3:

"Hmm, okay, I think I got what happened." Said Nike as she was updating my Falna.

The feeling of my Falna being updated wasn't something I could put into words. Pleasant or uncomfortable. Warm or cold. Those sensations felt binary. Too rigid to really explain what having a bit of divinity in you was like. A closer analogy would be "hearing the color white", or "tasting elation", but those wouldn't be correct either.

I had already told Nike what happened to me today, but she was also "reading" it through the excilia within my Falna. It gave her a greater insight, she said, but I can't help but feel she just wanted to see how I was crying during the chase and the Werewolf fight.

"Hue, hue, hue, you looked really pathetic running snot-nosed like that, hue, hue, hue."

See.

"Shut up." My comebacks were awesome.

"Hehe. Anyways, I'm done." I felt the light of the Falna recede into me, and Nike laying a piece of paper on the giant laurel wreath tattoo to write up my stats. "I should correct you on this so you won't get into trouble later on, but what you faced wasn't a Werewolf."

"Eh?" I wasn't sure whether to be relieved by that information or not. On one hand it means Werewolves aren't 1st Floor monsters, on another it kinda makes my feelings of accomplishment from killing, whatever that wolf thing was, diminish somewhat. "What was it?"

"A Kobold. A bipedal dog monster. Not a wolf," she emphasized that last bit to make sure I got the point. "Also Werewolves are a Demi Human race that have wolf features. You're likely to meet them walking down the streets here. So don't make that comparison to Kobolds again, unless you want and actual Werewolf pissed off at you. They can actually rip you apart, not give you love bites like you had before."

"I had teeth marks in my arm!"

Which reminds me, that potion was a real miracle. There weren't any wounds left, they were barely any scars. And supposedly this is just the weakest type of healing potions. Although it was too slow to be effective mid-combat. Wonder what my old world would have been like if we had something like that.

"Love bites." She said with her eyes half closed, lopsided smile and nodding to her own argument. Condescending bitch. "And about your stats, you improved."

Regardless of my irritation at the Goddess, I could help the anticipation beginning to vibrate in me. "Really how much?"

"35 points." She removed the sheet and handed it me.

"In all!?" Nice~ I took the paper grinning. That means another three fights, I could rank up in all stats from I to H. This doesn't seem so hard.

"Ha! You wish. 35 points total."

Silver W. King

Lv. 1

Strength: I 0 — I 15

Endurance: I 0 — I 7

Dexterity: I 0 — I 5

Agility: I 0 — I 8

"Also, you shouldn't get used to this many improvements and in all stats. Usually Adventurers improve in one or two stats at a time. All you're seeing now is just the initial haul from all your stats having been zero before."

"That's it? I nearly died against that Wer— dog thing!" I looked up from the paper in disbelief. Seriously!? Aren't life and death struggles suppose to give you massive stat boosts?

"The Falna does not lie nor can it be deceived. If looked at objectively, you weren't in real danger, you were letting yourself be in danger." She waved her hands dismissively.

"Excuse me!?"

"You're excused." Her smile was infuriating. "The simple fact is, you don't get points for neglectfulness or be too weak-willed that you haven't violently killed the Goblins when you first met them." She continued with a more sober and serious tone.

"I've never killed another living being in my life. It wasn't just something I could shrug off and do." Admittedly while fighting the three Goblins in the beginning, I was too hesitant and kept trying to just force them to stay away and tire them out, rather than outright kill them. Then again I wasn't as hostile because the Goblins weren't just attacking in frenzy, they were too cautious of me. That made me start to think they might be like any living, breathing animal.

"The monsters born by the dungeon exist for one reason, and one reason only, to kill Adventurers. It doesn't matter what they look like or how they act, they live and breath just to kill you. If they have any capacity for emotion, it would be rage or fear. That's it."

I looked away, lightly gritting my teeth and unable to look at Nike's gaze. I know she's right, and what she said made sense, but I just couldn't have mentally shifted gears and killed living beings nonchalantly.

"You need to understand, Silver. If something tries to kill you, you don't ask yourself whether its sapient, has feelings, or has family. You fight back and kill it. Only the strong have the right to give mercy, and right now you are weak."

Her words were knives digging into my chest. I know what she's saying. I know the morals I grew up with don't apply in this world, especially since I can't enforce them. But just accepting it like that was too bitter a pill to swallow.

"Well," Nike clapped her hands once and I found myself look up, the mood has swiftly changed all of a sudden. "You should go wash up, and I'll get started on lunch." She stood from the bed we were sitting on and grabbed the nearby apron. The apartment we were in, was pretty small. A 1DK I think it was called, so everything was relatively close on hand. "When I was at Athena's, I was able to get a few extra valis, enough to buy another everyday grabs for you and me. You should find on in the basket in the bathroom." She said as she looked back with a smirk and a wink. "Come on shoo, shoo, go. After eating we're going out into the city, I still have to show you a few places for you need to get familiar with." She said with a playful shooing motion.

I sighed as I stood up. The feeling of my own heart being dragged down by my limits still prevalent.

"And Silver," I looked back as Nike called out. "You are weak, but that's only who you are right now. The beautiful thing about being alive is the ability to change." She looked up from the pots and cooking ingredient and smiled at me. A different smile of her usual sort. It was one that remind me that this is my home now, and that it's not so bad. "And you will grow stronger, I am confident of that. So have some faith in yourself, the Goddess of Victory is placing her bets on you."

Honestly, this Goddess was infuriating, yet she would just flip on her own attitude and do something nice like this. I scolded at my own treachery feelings of admiration and gratitude for her. Dammit, why did she have to be so, so...sympathetic and warm like that? It makes being annoyed at her difficult. And there is legitimate reason to be annoyed at her at time. Yet...

Before I could say "thank you" or any words of gratitude, I felt the smug smile before I heard the creepy laugh. "Hehehe," I looked up, the feelings of irritation coming back.

"You're falling in love with me now, aren't you?" That damn bitch and her damn smug smile, was grinning at me. "Hue, hue, well I am the best Goddess ever, so it's only natural that my pitiful Familia member be enamored with me."

"And it's gone," I threw my hands in the air. "This," I pointed to her and then me several times. "This moment between us? Completely ruined. Congratulations."

"Hue, hue, hue."

I took any small object nearby, a rubber ball in this case, and threw it at her before entering the bathroom.

"Hey!"

I heard the satisfying thud. Yeah, today wasn't so bad.

---

First Year 4:

"It's not even dawn yet, why did you wake me?" I yawned, widely and loudly. I wanted that tyrant of a morning person, to see how much I wanted to go back to sleep. I didn't care that I was wide awake from being forced to splash my face cold water.

"Here, in this spot. I want you to sit right here." She pointed at a spot a bit at the foot of her bed and closer to the front door.

"You woke me up from sleeping on the ground, to sit on the ground?" My tone was dry and bored. In terms of the sleeping arrangements Nike got the bed, while I laid out a futon in the area next to it, that also served as the dining area.

"Just do it." Her tone was equally dry.

With a bit of grumbling, I moved and sat down legs crossed at the spot she pointed at. Nike smiled. I frowned.

"Now what?"

"Do you know how to meditate?"

I was thrown off by the out-of-nowhere question.

"Yeah? I used to do it on and off back in my old world. I don't remember everything for the specific types of meditations, but I remember the basics." I said.

"Tell me," Nike sounded like a teacher quizzing me.

"Sit somewhere comfortably. Deep breath through your nose, then out through your mouth. Close eyes and resume normal breath from just your nose. Focus on your outward sensations, smell, sound, touch. Focus on inward sensation body position, points of contact with hands or feet. Focus on your breathing. Return focus on breathing whenever lost. Stop focusing on anything. return focus on the body. You're done, open yours eyes whenever you want." I kept my answer as minimum and pragmatic as possible so as not to trail off.

"Hmm," Nike nodded, her lips a giant upside-down U of being impressed. "Not bad, I though you'll just give me the simplistic answer of 'close your eyes, and focus on breathing', or worse 'sit cross-legged, hum a chant, and breath in the universe' or some stupid shit." Her praise meant nothing to me. "So good job, Silver." Not even a small warm glow in my chest. Really. "Now, see that window there." She pointed at the only window in the apartment, which was above and to the right of the bed, closer to the dining room area.

"You mean the one with the sky still completely dark, and which means I should still be sleeping." I said back. Praise or not, don't fuck with a guy's warm fuzzy sleep.

"The sky is lightening up, it's gonna be dawn pretty soon." How dare she ignore my sarcasm? Does she just expect me to take her sass when it suits her? "I want you to start meditating, and take a long while in all those steps, except the first one."

"You mean 'don't sit comfortable'." Nike dope-slapped me. "What the hell?"

"No sass right now. Don't take a long time just set yourself up for meditating. Finish the deep breathing part as you normally would, then meditate like normal. Don't however stop until the sunlight from the window hits your eyes. That's when you know to finish up." Nike said with a sterner tone, but she had a relaxed smile than her usual one. ...Is she nicer in the morning?

"How long will that take?"

"As long as it takes. Keep meditating until the sun hits you, and no falling asleep either, I'll know, I'll be watching."

"Creepy." I hugged myself shuddering.

"Brat," Nike went back and sat on the bed, and opened up a book whose cover looks new. "Start meditating, I should have breakfast done by the time you're finished."

I looked at the book, it looked like some sort of guide. I think I may have seen like it in the Guild. "Did you get that yesterday?" I pointed to the book.

"Stop stalling. Meditate now." She said, not bothering to look up from the book.

"Can you at least tell me why?"

Nike sighed, and I think she muttered something along the lines of 'forgetting to mention something'. Ha, you birdbrain.

"Ow!" I suddenly felt something hit my head, a rubber ball it looks like, as it bounced back and Nike caught it.

"You just thought something bad about your Goddess, didn't you?" She said with a pout.

"Don't just throw stuff at people!" It... actually didn't really sting, I was just surprised from the sudden movement of my head.

"One, hypocrite." Nike pointed at me, with the hand holding the ball. "Two, Goddess." She pointed at herself.

"Pretty sure if you did that to random people on the street, they would hit back."

"Then it's a good thing you're not a hobo." Her lopsided smile was back.

"Yeah, well, good thing your not eh, have a...home...whatever." Goddammit brain, why fail me at comebacks?

"Heh," she chuckled, while shaking her head. Hey! Stop acting like I'm some poor kid with mental deficiencies. Not that there is anything wrong with those people and all. "Anyways, back to your question. I assume you know that magic exists in this world, right?"

"Oh aaa," seeing this discussion turning to something I think I'll like, I put the previous affair out of my mind. "I kinda expected and hoped for it."

"It does," Nike nodded, and I felt my lips turn upward and an excited buzz started in me, with my knee rocking lightly. "There are races that can use it naturally. Like Elves for example. That type of magic that some races have from birth is called Congenital Magic. Humans for the most part aren't born with the ability to use magic, with some exceptions."

"But it can be acquired, right?" I said with a ball of delight in my chest.

"Yes," I grinned. "The aptly named Acquired Magic can be granted by the Falna, depending on your achievements, or by a Grimoire."

"I'm guessing Grimoires are hard to come by."

"Hmm," Nike nodded. "The average cost of a Grimoire for a simple fire spell is around 50 million valis." I felt my eyes would pop out of my head from how much they opened. How the hell could I possibly get that kind of money!? "Of course, rather than a standard spell, and trust me, the high quality ones are much harder to find and more costly; you can go a Blank Grimoire that lets you learn a spell of your own from a bit of a hypnotic self spiritual process. Those tend to be at 75 million valis and up if there is a bidding."

"Huh," damn, the barrier of entry for mages is ridiculous. "So, basically if you're not born with magic, you're shit outta luck."

"Not really," Nike shrugged. "You can save up the money, and the Guild can save you a Grimoire which you will have to make monthly payments to eventually get. Of course there is an initial fee so 'save' the Grimoire for you, so no one can try to outbid you and take it. The real reasons why Mages aren't as wide spread as they could be, despite the power that bring to bare on the battlefield is for two big reasons: A) The amount of spells one can have is limited by the amount of Spell Slots they have, this is what's considered a person's magic potential. And B) While casting a spell, a Mage is completely open for attack as they need absolute concentration to gather their magic power. If their concentration is broken the spell could backfire as Ignis Fatuus. Basically the magical energy explodes uncontrollably. Mages have staffs not just for control or power purposes, but to make sure this effect doesn't take place inside their bodies."

I felt the blood leave my face. "Holy shit."

"Indeed," she nodded. "Also casting spells costs Mind, so their is a limit on the number of times a Mage can use a spell, especially if its a strong one."

"'Mind'? I feel you're using the term in a different context than normal."

"Mind is basically mental stamina. Magical power comes from your soul it's more or less limitless. Your mental ability to take that power, shape it and use that power to affect the world, however, is. A Mage that carelessly wastes their Mind using magic, will easily pass out on their feet, becoming easy prey for monsters."

"...Oh" I felt my earlier enthusiasm be cut and bit by bit drain away. It was... nice to hear that that the soul is limitless, especially as the full confirmation coming from a Goddess, but that is easy overshadowed by the harsh reality that being a Mage entails. I tried to gather my thoughts on the conversation so far. "You said a mage is limited by their Spell Slots earlier. How many are their usually?" I paused as I needed an answer for my next question, and also didn't want to ask it, in case the answer was as disheartening as I expected. "What if someone doesn't have a Spell Slot?"

"The limit of Spell Slots in a person, is usually three."

"Three!" I could help my shock. "That's it? What's the point of being a Mage if you can only use three spells, and have to deal with all those problems?"

"Being a Mage is a difficult job like anything else, but there will always be people who will take it up. And for your second question, it's because magic is a great power, and the deeper you go into the Dungeon, the more you'll need it." Nike held my gaze, as she looked at me with confidence that push those dark swirling feelings of worry and worthlessness away. "Also, it's not like there aren't ways to get around those issues. You can train yourself to move while casting spells. If you don't have a Spell Slot, there are Greater Grimoire with the power to grant you one." And just like that, her words rekindled the fire of enthusiasm and hope back in me. "With a God's Blessing, anything is possible, but it takes your hard work to achieve it." I found myself smiling at that.

"So meditation is for that?"

"Yep," she nodded and went back to reading her book. "Everyday you're going to meditate like I told you to, till you awaken your Magic stat. After that I should be able to tell how many Spell Slots you have, and we'll see our options from there. Even if this doesn't work, it should improve your focus, and in life or death fights, that's everything. Now enough chit-chat, you wasted enough time as it is."

"You're the one who didn't explain all this in the begin- Hey!" I shouted as she bounced the rubber ball off my forehead again.

"No more talking. Meditate."

"Alright, alright."

I sat cross-legged looking forward, and began taking deep breaths.

In through the nose. Out through the mouth.

I repeated that a few times, and then with another outgoing breath, I closed my eyes, and did my mental exercises as I remembered them.

Alright, senses. I could actually smell the wood and the cooking from the previous night. I guess with this place being so different from my home in my old world, I don't filter out the smells around me. Temperature-wise things were a drafty, but not a problem, I think with morning coming the air will feel warmer soon. I could hear the sound Nike turning the pages of her book every once in a while.

Okay, that's enough of that. I focus on my body. Feet on the floor, back against the wall, and hands resting on my knees. Mostly comfortable, nothing much to think out. And then I got to the boring part.

Usually, I didn't mind meditating when I had time and in the mood, but that's because I had an app on my phone for it. I would listen to someone telling me which part of the exercise to do, and because of that I could tell how much time had passed. Also I usually meditated for ten minutes, twenty was the most I ever did. But like this? I didn't have an idea on how long this is gonna take.

Okay, okay focus on the breath. Focus on the breath.

...

The sky was starting to lighten up when I saw it, so that means, it should be sunrise in an hour or so, right? So the light from the window should reach me in—

"Hey!" I felt the rubber ball hit me.

"Don't open your eyes!" Came Nike's bored commanding voice. "Go back to meditating."

"How can I concentrate on anything with you hitting me!?" I didn't open my eyes, but I could keep silent.

"You were getting distracted, yes I can tell. It's fine if you lose focus but don't trail off in your own thoughts for too long, or I'll do this."

"Hey!" Another rubber ball hit.

"To tell you off. Now back to meditating, also if you fall asleep I'll hit you with something bigger."

I felt an ice cube in the bottom of my stomach, from trying to imagine what she would hit me with if I fell asleep. Another rubber ball hit, told me to go back to focusing on the breath. With a bit of a grumble I did that.

After however long it took for me to feel the heat of the sunlight hit my torso, and me being overexcited on being close to finishing, I repeated the last steps of the exercise a few times, hoping and fail to time it right, to finish the meditation by the time I felt the light in my eyes.

Over the course of this annoying meditation I got hit close to ten times by the rubber ball.

When I was finally done and could feel the sunlight through my eyelids, I opened my eyes to see a terrifying sight.

"Wh...why are you holding that?" 'That' being a mace Nike was holding over her head while staring intently at me.

"A warning in case you tried to cheat and open your eyes early toward the end." She said putting it down.

"SO YOU WERE GOING TO MAKE SURE MY EYES NEVER OPEN AGAIN!"

---

We were standing near the East Gate of the city. I wasn't sure what to do here, with Nike's only instruction was to 'stretch' and doing the same herself. I copied her as I had no idea what proper stretching exercises their were. The sun was already up now, starting to get too bright, but not there yet. I would say it's eight to maybe nine in the morning. The weather was nice though, I guess it's spring season?

One thing was off though, there was a cart near where we stood. I'm not sure why someone would leave it there. It looks small, like it would only support one person and their stuff. Weird.

"Okay!" Nike finished with a peppy jump just to shrug off her excessive energy. Damn morning people. Admittedly, I was now pretty awake myself, but still it needs to be said. Morning people are abominations of nature, except in the few days when I wake up energetic in the morning on my own. "So, remember when we talked yesterday on training regimes you could do to improve your stats safely?"

"Yeah," mostly we talked about stories from my old world and the topic of anime and manga came up. "What? We're gonna do a hundred push-up, a hundred sit-up, and a hundred sqauts with a ten kilometer run?" I said jokingly while chuckling.

"Of course not, you're doing a thousand."

If this was a comedy skit, I'm sure there would be the sound of the screen glass breaking.

"What!? Are you insane?"

"Maybe I am. Maybe you should be too. It's the quickest way to get better, besides the line between insanity and genius is so thin that most people will think you're a genius anyways." Nike sounded way too smug and happy with herself, as she leaned forward with her arms behind her back.

"No, thank you! I would rather keep my sanity." I crossed my arms in a giant X of nope.

"Hey, if you want to be extraordinary, you must act extraordinary, and most times people who are extraordinary are viewed as insane. So embrace insanity, Silver!" Nike said with her arms wide spread.

"Hell no! What kind of idiot would even buy that half-baked bullshit wrapped up in a motivational speech." I shouted.

"You'd be surprised." She said under her breath while looking to the side, but it was loud enough to her.

"You mean you did this before!" I cried out, my hands in front of me, like I was trying to physically grasp logic and reason with them. Sadly, there was only empty air.

"Obviously, besides dumb bitches get stitches."

"You're not even denying it! And that other statement is horrifying!" I shouted while pointing at her for having openly admitted her trickery evil nature.

"Hai, hai, enough of that," Nike said dismissively while clapping her hand, as though the matter was childish one. "Let's make this clear, you will do this exercise and do it in," she looked at the sky for a second. "An hour. Because pushing yourself to the limit even in training is what will improve your abilities the most. Also because I own your ass."

"As if!"

Nike grinned. I all too quickly remember who I was dealing with, and I was scared.

"You see, Silver-kun,"

"Please don't say 'kun' again." I squeaked pleadingly.

"I really lucked out on the trainer I got you, from Athena. Really, it's a once in a life time opportunity, as strong Adventurers don't usually have time for complete noobs. Yet, because Athena is my bestie, she decided to lend me on of her stronger Adventurers." Nike's grin widened. I whimpered. "Whose been instructed to listen to every. Thing. I. Say."

Why? Why Athena-sama? Why would you put that much power into this wicked person's hands?

"So, if you don't want your training to go from 'tiring' to 'Oh god everything is pain!', get on the ground and start those thousand push-ups, bitch!"

This was cruel, this was evil.

"I hate you!" That was lame. I didn't care. I wanted to cry. I instantly dropped and started doing push-ups.

"Aah, don't fret my child. I only do this because I love you and want to nurture you. Like a lioness feeding her cubs from her bosom before throwing them off a cliff so they learn to survive."

"Burn in hell!" My arms certainly were.

---

"Good morning, I'm... is he okay?" A concerned, smooth and balance voice ask... I wasn't sure when this voice or it's owner appeared.

"He's fine." Nike sounded like she was waving him off. I wanted to curse at her, but I didn't have the energy to do so.

"He appears to be unconscious." Said the voice. I like this voice. He cares about me.

Suddenly I felt water drench my face, and coughed as some got into my mouth. I sat up coughing the water, while groaning from how much my stomach hurt from the repeated sit ups.

Good news, for my self-esteem, I did more than the hundred push-ups, sit-ups, and squats in the One-Punch Man training regime. Nowhere near a thousand obviously. Bad news...I wanna go home. I don't wanna do anything else today.

"See, he's fine."

"...I see." I could feel the voice's pity. Did I mention how much I like this voice?

I looked up and saw my supposed trainer. He looked...the first image that came to mind was Sasuke from Naruto, but I pushed that way. Not frowny and emo enough. I took more details of him as I stood up. He had gray, dare I say it, silver hair. It covered the side of his face from the angle I was seeing him in. A scar over his visible red eye that thankfully seem to be okay. So that mean whatever gave him that scar didn't take out his eye. His clothes pants, jacket and under shirt were normal but his armor was minimum. A simple cuirass for his chest, along with a pauldron and a vambrace, all colored light bronze with a fear red here and there. Actually he had a small red ribbon on his arm for some reason. The oddest part however was the giant belt robe holding his katana in.

Why would he use a katana? His Familia is Greek, or are things just mix and match in this place.

"Right," I coughed so I didn't appear to be staring. He seemed closed off, but I guess that's natural since we're strangers whom he is forced to work with. "I'm Silver W. King of the Nike Familia. Nice to meet you." I started off friendly, and held my hand to him.

"Likewise," he shook my hand, a small smile now on his face. He desn't seem so bad. "I am Luca Schreien of the Athena Familia, as our Kami are friends, I hope we would be able to work together." We let go of our hands.

"I'll try," I chuckled. "I don't think that's gonna be for a while now as I'm still green."

"We all start the same. It's our dedication that takes us where we need to be. You seem like someone who works hard, and for that I'm sure your ambitions will be realized." His tone was...sincere. Like seriously, he meant that.

Can this guy not be my rival character? I don't want him as a rival character. He's too nice to turn out like that.

"Yes, yes, enough chatting." Nike interrupted. "Now then, in the beginning, Luca-san, you'll just be observing and giving Silver tips on how to improve his movements from the next exercise. After that you'll spar till noon. Hopefully if we finish the next part quickly there would be more time for the sparring."

"I see, very well I will dutifully follow your instructions Kami Nike." Said Luca with a small bow.

"Okay, so now what?" I was still tired, at this point I was would too exhausted to even walk, yet I can at least do that now. Maybe if the next exercise is relatively simple, I would be able to move well enough for the spar without feeling all my muscles being pulled.

"Alright then," Nike went and sat in the small cart that was left nearby. "Silver, you're going to be pulling this," she gestured for the cart, that now that I'm observing closely had belts like it was made for a person. Is this like those Chinese person taxi thing? "while running. It should help your Endurance, and in order to train your speed, I'll use this."

The air cracked.

"Is that a fucking whip!?" This crazy bitch. "Nope, ah-ah, no way hozie, not gonna happen. I'm not gonna let you whip me while I'm pulling you around like a horse."

"Hmm, that's disappointing." Nike got off the cart.

"...Okay, what are you planning, you don't give up that easily?"

Nike ignored me and went to Luca.

"Luca-san, it seem you'll be doing the job of the cart this time. Bend over." Nike said plainly.

Luca blinked before looking at me, then back to the blonde Goddess.

I am quite literally, the last person that wants to inconvenience people. It's a habit so integrated in me, that I hate the number of times it made me into a pushover. It took a long while for me, so see this flaw and partially deal with it. But no, this time, I'm not doing that. I'm not going to let myself be tied to a cart like an animal. Sorry, Luca-san.

"I see, very well, Nike-sama." Luca bent over. Holy shit, he actually did it.

"Thank you, nice to see that some children are polite." Said Nike climbed and sat on his back, like some odd couple who do those sort of things for a commercial ad.

"You, you don't have to listen to her, you know." I tried to help and cheer him up.

"It's fine," I think Luca wanted to sigh, but was too dignified to do so. "The Gods do as they will, besides I was told by Athena-sama to listen to Nike-sama no matter how absurd, bizarre, disturbing or crazy her instructions were. Since Athena-sama is the one who willed it, then I'm sure it will be fine."

I'm so sorry this is happening to you, Luca-san. You truly are a good person.

I still would rather not be in your place though.

"I'm gonna have to talk to Thena to stop badmouthing me like that." Nike grumbled in a low voice. I now felt on edge. Is she, is she seriously going to do what I think she's going to do? "Now, then," she looked up meeting my eyes and grinning.

I ran. I didn't bother waiting or listening to what she was going to say. I just ran into inner parts of Orario. I should be able to escape into the streets and alleys.

"That's right, run!"

I looked back and screamed. The image of Luca carrying Nike was waving the whip around was as comical and bizarre as it was terrifying.

"Originally, I was gonna make you run 10 laps around Orario, or reduce it to 5 to save time. But now, now I'm gonna do this until I'm bored."

The whips cracked near my ass.

"YOU CRAZY BITCH!"

"I ONLY HURT YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!"

"I WILL GET BACK AT YOU FOR THIS! I SWEAR YOU'LL PAY, NIKE!"

"HUE, HUE, HUE, HUE, HUE!"

---

I don't remember my spar with Luca.

I remember that generally, I was holding a sword, I think he might have had an extra one as I didn't have any, and that said sword kept being knocked off my hand.

I remember being punched, kicked and falling to the ground though. I'm not sure if I was ever fighting back. Although given that my knuckles hurt, and I think I remember the sound of Luca's voice saying...stuff, that meant I might have been an active participant in that spar.

I distinctively remember Nike with popcorn though. That image which filled me with a burning hatred was left in my mind.

I was sure if I was sitting or laying on the ground, but given that no more pain was coming, that meant the spar was over, right?

"...Sure...ain like tha..."

"Yes, I...ech ange..."

"Som...chang...he..."

Voices. What are voices? What does it mean to hear a voice, to have a voice? What—

My throat was burning as I was forced to drink something. I sat up coughing, before the pain seemed clearer than ever, and then began to recede. Nike was holding two bottles toward me.

"Here, finish up these potions. You can't go into the Dungeon when you're tired."

"Yeah," I coughed. "Yeah," I looked around noticing the absence of the Athena Familia Adventurer. I finish drinking the first potion before asking my question. "Where's Luca-san?" I opened and drank the second one.

"He finished up and went back to his Familia. He can't just sit around for your sorry ass. Also he said you sucked like hell." Said Nike while smiling and nodding to herself.

"Oh fuck you!" I stood up already feeling my body beginning to fix itself, and my tiredness being pushed away. I think by the time I meet Lili I should be okay to go into the Dungeon.

"Gasp, to think a child would speak to his Goddess like that. What is happening to the youth of today?" Nike held a hand to her chest melodramatically.

"I will choke you." I growled out.

"Kinky." Nike wiggled her eyebrows. I stepped back hugging myself in shudders. Brrr. "Well, you are released from your torture, you may go about your day as you please." She turned around and began to walk away.

"Hey!" I called out. "Aren't you going to update my stats?" I don't want all that hell to be for nothing.

"Already did, no I'm not telling you how much you improved." She didn't even bother looking back to address me. "And don't forget to go to the Guild to get a sword."

With a groan I turned and walked away. "Goddess of Victory my ass, more like Goddess of the Demented."

"I heard that!" A shout came from behind me.

"I meant for you to!" I shouted back, and kept going my way.

Right, first to go to the Guild and...

Ah crap, I'm gonna have to explain how I lost the sword to avoid fraud issues, and try to get another one. At least there aren't any penalties for breaking the Adventurer equipment, so there is that.

---

First Year 5:

"Lo...st?"

A deep voice growled and caused the air to vibrate with its heaviness.

"Ye-ye...yes." Even though there is a whole counter between us, I still took a step back. Consciously, because I know when I'm in danger.

The Guild employee I was dealing with was Hilga. I don't know her last name. The woman was the definition of a Amazonian. Brown skin. Gigantic, 3 meters tall. Muscular in such a way that her biceps are the size of my torso, and a voice that sounds like the devil's roar from hell, even when she's using the softest form of it. She is also the one who I signed my name with for the loaned equipment, thus the fastest one I need to talk to if I want to replace the sword. Honestly I would rather go with anyone else, and even wait for however long the paperwork will circle but it was almost time for me to meet up with Lili and I didn't want to be late.

"Ex...plai...n."

I swear I felt the ground shake, or maybe those are my knees. This woman must be what they scare kid Adventurers with to behave. "Listen to your mom, or Hilga will come and eat you" they would probably say.

"Ye-yesterday, I lost it fighting a Goblin. Goblins. Three of them." I blabbered.

"Hmmm..." Her constant frown became even frownier. Oh god, please don't kill me.

I know intellectually that Guild members are unblessed, but I swear this woman looks like she would be able to squeeze me like a grape either way.

"Penal...ty!" Came her voice like a thunderous judgement. "You...will...pay."

"Oh god no, I'm too young to die!" I jumped back, widening the distance between us and prepared to run.

"Hmmm..." The massive Amazoness lend on the counter and looked like she was about to run through it to pursue me.

Oh crap. I'm gonna—

"Hilga-san!" A voice called out from the desk, back of the Guild. I couldn't see the person talking from Hilga's form, whom she turned to look at. "Remember what we talked about. Full explanations!"

"Hmmm..." Hilga turned back to me. Is she gonna explain how she's break me like a biscuit now? "Cost... Replace...ment."

I blinked as my brain took in what she said. "...The penalty cost for lose sword and needing replacement?" I asked, my voice lower than I would have liked it to be.

"Hmmm..." Hilga nodded, hearing me all the same.

"Y-yeah, take it from my earnings today." I said quickly.

"Hmmm..." Hilga nodded and turned away from the counter. She took a step then stopped and looked back to me. For a moment, I was worried something was wrong. "Ty..pe?"

"Type, errr, what?" I gulped.

"Wea...pon."

"Oh," I said feeling relief. "Same as the last one. Short sword."

"Hmmm..." Hilga nodded and left, I could help the massive sigh that left me.

A giggle from the counter brought me away from Hilga's retreating back.

"That never gets old." Said the violet hair colored (and identifying by her voice) Angel-sama that saved me earlier. I stepped up back to the counter, feeling safe now. The woman quickly cleared her throat upon noticing me looking and smiled at me. "Please don't be frightened of Hilga, and be patient with her. She likes to keep her words short but she's a very dedicated Guild employee." Her smiled was like a healing sun that have returned to bring warmth after the long winter.

Any sarcastic remark where blocked away, as I felt guilt if I tried to make fun of this Angel-sama's friend. Look at the woman before me, she wore the same uniform as any other Guild member along with glasses, and her eye color was purple complimenting her ponytail gathered violet hair.

"It's okay," I scratched the back of my head. "It's my fault for jumping to conclusion. It's just that every survival instinct in me was telling me to run— Errr, I mean aaah, I'm working on that bias of books and covers." What the fuck brain and mouth, what are you two doing!?

"It's fine. Really, if you keep talking to her, you'll see Hilga-san is really a nice person."

"So, she doesn't break Adventurers like a twig." I smiled, saying in jest.

"Oh she does, I'm just saying if you have nothing to worry about she's a nice person." Came the Angel's reply with a calm smile.

My face was frozen as my eyes kept widening. I was mentally screaming in my head.

"That, um..." what word to use? "Wasn't comforting."

"Well," she paused structuring her words. "I would rather give a usual truth than a false comfort."

"...Don't be a nurse," dammit mouth, stop working.

"Eh?" She blinked in surprise.

"Umm, I mean, eeeem." Right. New topic. NEW TOPIC! "Sooo, you work in the Guild?" I said crossing my arms. God dammit, I should just shut up forever.

"No, I stole this uniform, and everyone was so gullible they all bought that I work here."

"What?" I blinked, before feeling my face heat up like a storm. I deserved that. I'm an idiot and I deserved that for just babbling like...like a stupid.

She giggled, and I felt my blush increase as I looked away. "Sorry, it's a bad habit from an old friend. I didn't mean it."

I looked back and mentally told myself to steady my breathing to calm my emotions and push away the embarrassment.

"No, no it's okay. Dumb question gets a dumb answer and all." I tried to laugh it off. I'm pathetic.

"My teacher used to say, 'there are no dumb questions, just annoying ones you'll keep hearing again and again'."

Right. I'm annoying got it.

We stayed together in awkward silence. I didn't want to make things worse, so I just shut up. Thankfully she knew how to end things peacefully.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Adventurer-san." I highly doubt it, but thanks for being polite. "Oh and here," she handed me a book that looked really familiar. I think...wasn't this what Nike was reading. A Guide for the Dungeon Upper Floors. Okay, that's...helpful.

"Thank you, umm..." I didn't get her name. Should I ask? Would she want to tell me?

"Kyrie." She said with a courtesy smile.

"Right, Kyrie-san. Again, thank you."

I bowed and quickly turned to leave.

...

Then came back because I still didn't get my sword from Hilga, whom I swear had a condescending smirk on her face.

---

"Fuck." I smacked myself with the book and kept it there to block the sun. Seriously, fuck. What the hell was that? I thought I outgrew this teenage bullshit, besides I stopped caring about dating a long time ago, and I have more important stuff now. Thinking about it objectively and with calmer thoughts, what the hell was I flustering about for? I mean, physically I'm back to being fifteen again, but...don't tell me, my brain chemistry is doing the puberty thing. God dammit. Fuck, whatever, I should just forget this while thing and put it behind me. I'm probably never gonna see her again anyways.

"Hello, Silver-san," Said Lili upon arriving. "Are you ready to head into the Dungeon?" She then paused as she looked at me again, blinking and tilting her heard. "Are you okay, Silver-san?" There was a note of worry in her tone.

I quickly shook myself from my funk and smiled reassuringly at her. Better not bother her with my problems.

"I'm fine, I'm good to go, although do you mind if I leave this with you till we get back?" I asked handing her the book.

"Of course, that's what the Supporter's job is." Lili said smiling as she took the book placing it in her bag. I feel like I fuck up here in someway.

Dammit, I'm still agitated from before. Did she think I'm angry at her? Is she sacred of me now?

"Um, Lili?" I quickly said as we began to move with her falling behind me. I slowed till I was next to her.

"Yes, Silver-san?" She said tilting her head toward me, in a way that I only saw half her face.

"Look, um," I quickly thought of the simplest and best way to go so I don't stumble on my words. "I want you to know, if I appear annoyed or angry, it's not at you okay? My Kami, just put me through hell calling it training, and I ended up almost dying yesterday from the weakest monsters in the Dungeon. So," right, the delievery was good, let's just finish this well. "Let's go into the Dungeon and murder a shitton of monsters." That might have been a tad too morbid.

"Alright, Silver-san," said Lili smiling.

Alright, so I didn't fuck that up. All good.

We walked for a while, making light conversation about random topics like food. Mostly food. Hmm, I'm gonna go for lunch after this. I'll try to invite Lili, since she looks like she need to have more food too. I tried general questions like how long she was a Supporter and if she's seen cool stuff in the Dungeon? All her life and yes. I asked about her Familia, but she gave minimal answers, so I stepped away from the topic. I told her a bit about Nike, so reason to waste an opportunity to badmouth that stuck-up Goddess and it got a laugh out of the little girl, so that's a plus.

Soon enough, we were in the Dungeon's first floor, hacking away at some Goblins. It was very cathartic to do that. Lili even showed me where their Magic Stone is, so that's neat. Haven't met any Kobold yet, but we should see some soon enough. All in all, I was in a pretty good mood.

Then I saw something that changed everything.

"Silver-san?" Lili asked at my sudden stop.

I saw a Goblin holding a sword. A very familiar sword.

"...Silver-san?" Came Lili's hesitant voice.

I grinned. It wasn't a nice girl.

"Lili," I said with that wide grin. Sadly causing the poor girl to shiver from the tone of my voice. I'll make it up to her later. "You see that Goblin," I pointed at the little shit with my sword. "That's the one that stole my sword and chased me yesterday. I know I said I will follow your lead, but just this once can I please go and murder that sunnvabitch!" The Goblin heard me and turned toward us.

"Keke!"

"Y-yeah, sure. Have fun, Silver-san."

You're a good girl, Lili.

"Thanks," with a grin I lunged at the Goblin, throwing all my weight into the strike.

"KEKE!"

I broke its arm and knocked my sword out of its hands.

"Hello, dead meat! Remember me?"

"Ke...Kekeke!"

It ran.

I was stunned at this unexpected result. Weren't monsters death machines that only wanted to kill people?

I bared my clenched teeth and loudly growled.

"GET BACK HERE AND TAKE YOUR STABBING, YOU LITTLE SHIT!"

I chased after it. Behind me, Lili sighed, as she shook her head and ran easily catching up to me.

---

"Lili is amazed."

I ran back. Lili follow.

"Lili is truly astonished."

I pushed my legs and body as much as I could burning ground under me. Goddammit, why did this happen? Is Nike's karma rubbing off on me?

"To think that Silver-san would not only follow the Goblin all the way to the 3rd Floor's Pantry, but also agitate all the monsters in it, Lili has never see such a thing before."

"Enough with the commentary, Lili, and just run!"

The little shit sword thief Goblin was pretty nimble. However I still caught up to it and gutted it like a fish. Of course I lost sight of my surrounding, and found myself in the entrance of a large room with a large crystal pillar reaching up to the ceiling. The pillar had a large pond beneath it where a lot of Kobolds and Goblins were gathered.

Naturally they all turned when they saw me holding the Goblin on my sword like a shish kebab.

It was crying out something while it was dying, and I was annoyed. So I waved the sword letting the Goblin fly off it and then drop kicked it as it came down. It landed in the middle of the pond, filling it with blood. The Dungeon Monster were pissed at that and thus were now chasing me and Lili.

"Where we go?" I shouted.

"Hmm," Lili hymmed in thought while looking back at the horde after us. Unlike me, she seems to be able run easily without any effort on her part. So that's what high stats are like. "Well, eventually they will split off, they can't all keep chasing us, eventually some will go after other things that catch their interest. So we wait for them to start thinning and pick them off."

"Alright, sounds like a plan, you know this floor better than me, so you lead the way to lose them!" I said. Lili pushed off a bit and went ahead of me, so I know where to go.

We ran for quiet a while, turning corners here and there before entering another large room with a lot of pathways.

"From here, it should be easy to lost most of them and start counter attacking." Said Lili.

"Great!"

And yet life doesn't work out that way.

"What the hell? Why are all these monsters swarming here!?"

I looked back to see two Adventurers arrive from one of the many other paths. A man with hair coloring scheme and heavy armor, and a girl in black robe.

I slowed down and dug my feet to force a stop. Dammit, of all the things that could happen, why did those people have to be there now? I didn't want other to get caught up in this.

"Silver-san, we have to go. We can't do anything for them!" Shouted Lili who was forced to stop as well.

What do I do? I'm still a novice, but I don't want to be someone who sacrifices innocent people, to avoid problems.

"Some of the monsters are still coming at us." Lili was right, most of the Kobolds and Goblins were still headed toward us.

Many thoughts ran in my head, yet oddly one stood out despite it's context.

"If you want to be extraordinary, you must act extraordinary, and most times people who are extraordinary are viewed as insane. So embrace insanity, Silver!"

Dammit, of all the advice my mind gives me, it has to pick this one.

Okay, insane. Stop thinking. Act!

I ran toward the horde.

"Silver-san!"

"Run and find help, Lili!"

I brandished both my once stolen sword and the new one.

I met the first Kobold head on, stabbing both swords into its chest, then digging up and carrying it with my ran and using it as a ramming shield on the monsters behind it. I pulled the swords off and kicked it, before, spinning around easily getting two Goblins. One Goblin managed to jump on my back, I stabbed a sword into another attacking Goblin, grabbed the one on me by its head and threw it at a Kobold closer to the couple.

I took back my sword from the Goblin corpse, and noticed the monsters were more weary now. I had to attack before they could think to act.

Then the most anti-climactic thing happened.

Arrows rains from above, hitting nearly all the Goblins precisely in their forehead, with some taking out some Kobolds too. The other two Adventurers seem to make quick work of the rest. There were only two monsters left.

A Kobold jumped at me. I dropped one of my swords, stabbed him up through his mouth and into his brain, twisted and used its momentum to throw him over me into the Goblin about to attack. The Kobold landed on the Goblin dead, and before the Goblin could get out from under the other monster, I stabbed through the Kobold's stomach and into its the Goblin.

This is...seriously not a bad as I thought it was going to be.

"Silver-san!" Lili ran toward me, I saw a crossbow on her vambrace. Huh, so that's were the arrows came from. Kinda feel embarrassed and humbled that she actually could have handled this without my melodrama. I sheathed my swords and turned back to my Supporter. Although it feels like I'm her Supporter here.

"Hey, thanks for the save, Lili—"

"You worthless bastards, did you just try to Pass Parade us? Us!? Do you know who we are?"

The male Adventurer started shouting. His friend looked calm, smiling even, but she was putting me off. The guy seemed too high and mighty, even though he did seem to have any actual problem with the monster horde. And Pass Parade? I'll ask about that later.

"We didn't mean for that to happen, we didn't know anyone else was around. Are you two fine?" I asked diplomatically.

"'You didn't mean for that to happen'? You think that good enough?" The guy smirked. I immediately realized it was a mistake to be diplomatic. "For the trouble you cause me, Talon Axes-sama of the great Amechania Familia. I won't be satisfied until you pay for all the trouble you caused us."

Lili gasped, taking a step back and muttered something behind me. "Evilus!"

I narrowed my eyes. This looks like its getting bigger than I thought. "Yeah, no. We already came back to help, that's enough." I stepped to the side so that I was in front of Lili. I don't want to turn this into a fight, but if it comes down to it. At least Lili should be able to run.

The guy moved, I lost all the air in my lungs. His fist already in my stomach.

"Oh, you look rather green for an Adventurer, yet you're holding quite the chip on your shoulder, aren't you?"

"Hehe, a Pallum." The girl talked for the first time. Her voice was sweet, yet it sounded wrong for her. "I've never played with one before." The girl walked toward Lili.

I moved as much as I could. I grabbed man's arm, and the girl's shoulder forcing her to stop and not pass me.

"Hey assholes," I growled and looked the man straight into his eyes, ones that only saw amusement and mockery in me. "I get that you can only get your rocks off from hitting those who can't fight back, but at least go after someone your own size you sick fucks." I started swearing, not caring what happened as long as their focus was on me. I wasn't thinking about how to deal with this situation or how to get out of it, I wasn't that good under pressure, but at least I should get Lili away from here. "Lili, run!"

"Hey, trash." The girl looked at me with disgust. "Don't touch me." She grabbed my arm and twisted it. I was forced to bend back with my arm. The guy kicked me, and I heard a crack before I was thrown back.

"Arg, AAAAARGH!" Pain lanced through my elbow and then fire seemed to burn through all of my arm. They broke my arm.

"Silver-san!" Lili quickly kneeled next to me, she seem to know some first aid, as she held my arm in a way to reduce the pain. I think. Maybe. "Please stop, will give you what we have just leave us alone."

"Finally a proper response. This is how weak trash should act. Honestly why don't you teach that brat some manners, Pallum." The guy laugh to himself, while the girl seem to smile at our situation, finding delight in mine and Lili's suffering. "But you know, I don't think trash like him will learn, maybe I should cut a piece of him. Pain is a great reminder on much needed life lessons."

"Please, please wait, I have, I have," Lili began digging something from her bag.

I wanted to tell her to leave, but, but...the while flash of pain and fear was like a current in my veins. I didn't want to be alone. Lili...Lili is more experience in this world, she would know what to do, right?

Lili dug a glass ball. "A monster bait!" She held it up to the side, ready to drop it.

The two Adventurers froze, taking a step back, before just shaking themselves off and laughing.

"Here I thought it was something to worry about. "We're on the first floor, shit stains. The fuck is that gonna do?"

"This is a special type of monster bait that aggravates the Dungeon. It doesn't just call monsters from all over the floors but makes the Dungeon produce stronger monsters. You really want to face that?" Lili's voice was cold, having lost all it's earlier childishness.

"Bullshit, there is no way there is something like that." Said the girl.

"You really wanna test it? Do you?" Lili pushed.

I force myself to sit up through the pain.

"Lili, break it and run."

"Silver-san?" Lili sounded astonished at me.

"The fuck, you lost your pissing mind, shit trash." Shouted the man.

"You fucker wanted a fight. Fine, let's have a fight." I stood up, and unsheathed my blade with my good hand. "Lili, break it, let's see how you assholes do against an endless horde of empowered monsters. Even if you survive and reach the surface, they will be going after you. Wonder how many people will hunt you down for causing something like this to happen." I wasn't even sure of what I was saying. I think this is a logical argument. Maybe.

"You're bluffing. There is no way something like that will work. Even if that's true, we'll just say you did it. You'll be dead and everyone will believe us." Said the girl.

"Oh? Are you sure? Absolutely sure? I'm having good odds on you getting fucked one way or another. Lili, break it!" I shouted, holding my sword in front of me to defend my friend. My vision was beginning to haze, I'm still awake but the pain is making it hard to focus.

"Don't you dare, you'll screw yourself in the end!" Shouted the man.

"Lili!"

"Pallum!"

"What the hell is going on here!?"

A third voice broke into the argument.

All of us looked to the side to see two women, one with long ears (yay, elf) and one with normal ones.

"The fuck? Why are you Astraea Familia here?"

"We were returning from an exploration. Now sheath your weapons, all of you." The normal eared woman, a redhead, stepped between us and the bully assholes. "Pallum, I don't know what your holding but cease and desist your threats at once."

"They are holding a goddamn super monster bait. Aren't you uptight jackasses all about 'justice' arrest them." Shouted the girl.

"They were going to kill us," I growled out. "We had no choice, we-"

"Enough!" The redhead's voice seem to shook the entire cavern even if it wasn't loud. "All of you will stop fighting and explain what happened. Pallum, I said put down your monster bait."

The other woman, the elf stepped in front of Lili. "It's okay." She held out her hand to Lili. "You aren't in danger. Please give me the bait, don't use it."

Lili after looking around, took a deep breath and nodded to herself. She handed the monster bait, "It's just a glass ball." She said.

The elf took it, and held it close to her eye. She gave a small chuckle. "It's just a toy, Captain." The elf turned her gaze at me, mostly stoic but their was bit of disapproval there. "Although they didn't know that." She didn't specify who, meaning me and the two assholes. I looked away from her eyes.

"The hell, all this fuss over a fucking toy. That's it, We're out of here." The man huffed and turned to move.

"I didn't give you permission to leave." Said the redhead in black.

"Why the fuck should I care—" The man froze, as though seeing something in the black clad woman's gaze made him rethink everything he was doing. He clicked his tongue and looked away, but didn't move.

"I'm going to ask you all what happened, and you will tell me. Hopefully we can all leave here without any problem." She looked at each of us, and then back to the man and girl. "Talon Axes and Lucy Nox, members of the Amechania Familia and part of Evilus, a public disturbance group—"

"Can't prove anything, we're just thematic Adventurers." Said the man.

"—Since I'm more familiar with you, tell me what happened and we'll see where we go."

"That brat and that Pallum, Pass Paraded us, and when we caught up to them they attacked us."

"Bullshit," I said back.

"What?" The man, Talon, had the audacity to sound shocked. "You almost got us killed, and you act like we're the bad guys, tell me Justice-san, is that in anyway right!"

"You motherfuc—"

"I will not repeat myself. Do not cause disturbance, I will listen to your case next." Said the redhead.

"Silver-san," I looked to the side, at Lili getting my attention. "You need to sit down, your arm still needs mending to."

I looked at the two women to see if they will stop me. The redhead nodded.

I sat down, with Lili beginning to apply first aid to my arm.

"Ryuu, your High Potion, please." Said the redhead.

The elf, Ryuu, nodded and steps toward us, while her Captain kept her eyes on the two members of Evil-is-us or whatever.

"Don't," I said, causing the elf to stop. "I'll be fine, please save your potion." I didn't want to be indebted to them. Nike can fix this later.

Ryuu kneeled next to me, and took a bottle from her pouch. "Drink," she held the bottle to me. "You have already caused your friend enough trouble. If you continue as you are for the sake of your pride, you'll do nothing but be a burden."

I glared at her, leaning my head back.

"Silver-san," I looked toward Lili. Her eyes were moist. "Please," she was trying to stay strong all this time, yet...

I looked again to the elf. I didn't want to depend on strangers. I didn't want handouts, but I don't want Lili to be scared like she was now either.

"Could you please lend me your potion? I will pay you back for it, I promise." But I could also swallow my pride, it was cheap like that. That's why I hated being in situations like this.

The elf let me drink the whole potion. Instantly, I felt a small crack, and then my bones were rest and my muscles and arm was healed. The process was surprisingly painless, just uncomfortable. My arm felt sore, but I could move it without any lightning burning in my veins.

"Thank you." I muttered.

"Astraea Familia are guardians, we act to help people. You are not in-debt to me at all, young man." I clenched my jaw, but gave a nod of gratitude all the same. "Now then, what happened?" The elf stood up, and went next to her superior.

Before I began telling what happened and getting these Amechania fucks, who were watching us with restrained irritation and disgust, into a lot of shit (given that they were so afraid to fight these Astraea chicks), Lili stopped me.

Lili whispered something to me. Something I had to keep myself in check not to scream at. She quickly moved to help me stand, by having my arm around her shoulder. I looked at her all the while, and she just nodded, muttering 'please' with desperation in her eyes.

Fuck. Fuck.

"We were exploring the Dungeon and found the Pantry. The monsters there chased us, and those two accidentally ended up in our path, when we though we were running in empty places. We went back to help them and then they," I clenched my jaw so tight I almost felt like I could break my teeth. "were shouting and threatening us."

"And how did you get that injury?" Asked the Astraea Captain.

I closed my eyes. I didn't want to do this. I didn't want to do this, but Lili was pleading for me to trust her. So...

"I got that from fighting the monsters." I looked at the guy, Talon, straight in the eye. My expression was stoic, but within me, I felt my blood boiling. "That is all. They threatened us and we shouted at each other, but that's it."