A/N: The dungeon is underground. Lower floors have higher numbers.
Also, Bete. Don't harass Ais, it's not good for your health.
"I'd like to sell these. How much can I get for them?"
The woman inspected the fangs, then looked at the masked man.
"Where did you get these?"
"From the lower floors."
"I can see that. These are of fantastic quality. I've never seen anything like this before."
"I wouldn't expect you to. They're not something one would easily come across."
"These would make very good weapons. If you come back later, maybe in a few days, I can get the money for you. I don't know of anyone who could get you the money for these immediately. I'd estimate these at about ten billion valis each, probably more. I've never seen anything like these before."
The masked man gently placed the fangs back in his cloak.
"Is there anything I can make them into?"
"I'd say short swords, or maybe long knives."
"I think about it. Thank you for your time."
The masked man left the shop, cloak swishing slightly.
"The small shops are good for selling goods of questionable origin quickly, aren't they?"
The masked man sighed.
"Yes, they are. More efficient than the guild for items that shouldn't be talked about. So, what do you want, Blaec?"
Blaec grinned, his green eyes full of amusement.
"Not much. I haven't seen you in such a long time, and when we meet, that's all I get? No hello, how have you been these past ten years?"
"I'm surprised you recognized me."
"Well, even if it's been ten years, I haven't forgot. You've changed a little. Have I not changed that much?"
"No. You're still as annoying as ever."
Blaec faked hurt, holding his chest with his black and white gloves.
"Your words wound me. Is that any way to talk to a friend?"
"It is when you're annoying. And we're not friends. Now, I need to go. The merchant is going to get money for some items I picked up. I'll be able to provide some funds for my charge."
"If you went somewhere like here, instead of the guild, then it must of been from there, right?"
The masked man nodded, and Blaec scowled.
"You know I don't like you going down there."
"And you know I don't like it when you annoy me like that."
Blaec grinned.
"Well, we gotta compromise somehow, right? So, how much for your items?"
"The merchant said ten billion valis each."
Blaec's eyes widened.
"Wow. That's a lot. Let me guess, you got some things from Medusa, right?"
The masked man nodded.
"I know. It should be enough to last a while. I could get Hephaestus to forge some items for me later, if this transaction pulls through."
"You're as good a supporter as you were fifteen years ago."
"Thanks. I'm acting as my charge's supporter now. I told him I was leaving for a while, and he said I had to be back in four days or less. He's weak, but he'll get stronger. I'm sure of it."
"You forged a weapon for him, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"It was a Forged weapon, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
Blaec sighed.
"Does he know everything about it yet?"
"No, but he'll learn about it soon. I'm heading back, so go back to annoying other people."
"Hey! I don't annoy people!"
But the masked man was already off.
"Bell, how was your day?"
"It went well, how was your trip?"
"It went well. I got some items, and we'll get the money in a few days. I'll probably spend a bit on new equipment first, but the remainder should be enough to last a while."
"How much after you finish spending?"
"You'll get five billion. Don't spend all of it at once, and don't let anyone else know how much you have. I'll keep the rest with me."
"Five billion valis? That's a lot."
"Bell, were you listening to anything after that?"
"Of course. Don't spend too much, don't let anyone else know how much I have."
"Close enough. We'll go out for dinner tonight. My treat."
"I know a place. A girl picked up a magic stone I dropped. We talked a bit, but I promised I'd eat where she works for dinner."
"Ais! Tell us about that guy! I wasn't there to see him, but you mentioned something about him. What was it again?"
The masked man sighed as Bell continued eating.
"Wasn't it that he was really unnerving?"
"Someone unnerved Ais? Wow, that takes a lot of skill. What happened to you Bete? You never told us."
"Really? I didn't? Oh well, I'll tell you. So, I was following the minotaur with Ais, and all of a sudden, we heard this horrible, twisted scream. Ais and I ran to find the source, naturally. I ended up getting ambushed by something, and it knocked me out. When I woke up, Ais found me."
"Ais, is this true?"
"I found the source of the sound, but I lost Bete afterwards. When I found him again, he was unconscious."
The masked man glanced at their table, then back to where he was looking before.
"So, what made the sound, Ais?"
"It was the minotaur."
The entire room fell silent for a moment.
"Really? What would make a minotaur scream?"
"The masked man."
The masked man looked away, hiding his face.
"Ais, I don't believe you. I've hurt minotaurs before, but none have screamed in pain like that. Are you sure it was the minotaur, and not someone torturing some weak monster?"
"I'm sure."
"Well, there's no one that strong to make a minotaur scream in pain like that. They'd roar, but screaming out of pain is something they don't do. Ais, what really happened?"
Ais stared at him.
"I already told you."
"I don't believe you. You're lying, Ais. No one's that strong. What really happened?"
The masked man looked over at Bell, who was done eating.
"Bell, go home. I'll be there soon."
The masked man paid, and Bell left. The masked man waited a little longer.
"Ais, stop lying! A minotaur wouldn't scream in pain like that, especially a confused one! It would roar, it would shriek, but never would it scream in pain."
The masked man stood up, and strode over to their table, effortlessly picking up Bete, who flailed around.
"Hey, who are you?"
"The masked man. You and I are going to have a little chat."
He looked at the others at the table.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
He dragged the struggling Bete out of the restaurant.
Several minutes, Bete came crawling back into the restaurant. Ais looked at him with mild worry.
"Bete. Are you alright?"
Bete looked up, a crazed, fearful look in his eyes. A small black stain in the shape of a sword rested on his face, opposite the lightning tattoo on his left side. Ais noticed his boots were nearly covered in the black stain.
"It's light in here. I'm safe. I can see what's here. I'm safe for now."
"Bete, can we go now?"
Bete looked in her direction, his eyes unfocused, but still full of fear.
"And go into the dark? No, I can't do that. He might be there. I won't know. It's dark out there. Not safe, not safe at all."
"Bete, what happened?"
Bete blinked, his eyes focusing on her.
"Nothing too bad. I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. It'll take more than that to best me, of course."
"So, are you ready to go?"
Bete looked fearful of the darkness outside.
"I really don't want to go."
"You insolent little whelp! Immediately after he comes back, you have the audacity to help him?"
Medusa cowered, as the muscular figure approached, a crazed smile visible on his face.
"Well, I can't do anything about that, but let me make something clear. You help him again, you will die, slowly and painfully."
"I am not afraid to die. If I do, he will know, and he will become angry."
"Still cocky, I see. Well, I don't have to kill you. Maybe I'll make a little visit to the upper floor, maybe even leave the dungeon. I really should make a point to visit him. Maybe have a little chat with him. He'll see how weak he really is. No one can beat the master."
Medusa narrowed her eyes.
"You are a coward. A strong coward, but still a coward."
The man slammed his hand into Medusa's head, nearly crushing it. His smile looked more forced, but still crazed.
"Really, now? A coward, you say? You call me that, after what he did? He left you Medusa, for ten years. I never left this place once. You have the nerve to call me a coward?"
Medusa grinned savagely, as she pushed herself back up.
"Maybe not a coward, after all. More of a weakling."
She lunged at him before wrapping her tail around him, and began to crush him. He began struggling, but a snake sprung out from the shadows, biting his leg. More snakes slithered out, slower, before taking their places near him. Medusa grabbed the man's head, staring into his eyes.
"How does it feel, weakling? To be defeated by someone on a higher floor, so easily. Did you think I was that weak?"
Medusa chuckled darkly, still staring into his eyes.
"Too bad, I'm not."
The man stopped struggling. Medusa gave one last squeeze of effort, crushing the man's ribs along with his spine. She let go, the man's broken body crumpling on the floor. The snakes lunged at the corpse, tearing at the exposed flesh with knifelike fangs.
"Well, well, Medusa. That was a good display of strength."
Medusa glared at the newcomer.
"Are you going to try to attack me too?"
"No, of course not. But the mistakes of the apprentice are the mistakes of the master. The master wants him dead, so I'll kill him. Just remember that. He's not strong enough. No one's that strong."
Medusa hissed at him.
"He'll beat you. He'll tear you apart, and send your remains back, just so your master can see how futile it is to try to attack him."
"He had no ability to go to the upper floors, but I'll make it a point to beat him into the ground. I will make him despair when his strongest is not enough."
"Just remember, his exile is over. The ban is lifted. There is nothing stopping him from coming for you."
"Bell, did you get a supporter when I left?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't. I don't know how to look for a supporter very well."
"It's fine, then. I'll help you look before I leave again."
"You're leaving again?"
"I have some, friends, to see. Don't worry, I'll show you how to find a supporter before I go."
Bell nodded, a smile on his face.
"Thank you. Can we get something to eat? I'm a little hungry."
"Get back here, you little runt!"
The hooded girl looked back, before turning around again, only to run into Bell. She rushed past him, hiding behind him. The man approached threateningly.
"Hey, give me the girl."
Bell stood his ground.
"No."
The man raised an eyebrow, gesturing with his broadsword.
"Why not? After all she's done, she needs to be punished accordingly."
"I said no."
"Weren't you listening to me? You can't trust her. She'll lie and steal from you."
"I don't care. I'm not giving her to you."
The man growled, taking up a combat position. Bell drew his knife.
"Bell. Don't run off like that."
The man looked at the masked man approaching them, black cloak billowing menacingly.
"You! You're that masked man, the one who made a minotaur scream."
He sheathed his sword, and started backing away, but the masked man waved a gauntleted hand.
"Don't mind me. I'm just here to watch."
The man panicked and ran, the masked man sighing.
"Make one minotaur scream, and everybody makes a big deal of it."
He glanced at the hooded girl.
"She'd make a good supporter for you, Bell. A little weak, but still, a good supporter."
The girl glared at him. He laughed.
"I know that look, child. It's a look that says, you adventurers are all the same. Tell me child, do we look the same as the other adventurers? Would they protect a supporter like yourself?"
The girl shook her head.
"Of course not. I know how it feels, to be helpless. Child, meet us tomorrow. We have work to do, and my brother here will be in need of a supporter."
The girl nodded, then vanished into the shadows. The masked man sighed.
"I can still see you. It's not impressive."
Footsteps echoed, running away.
The men looked at the merchant in disbelief.
"I don't believe what you just said."
"I'm telling the truth. That guy has items of extreme value. They must have come from a floor much lower than the farthest any current adventurer has gone."
"Even the Loki familia?"
"Farther than them. I don't know who he is, but he's got to have really good equipment if he can go to floors that low, and get loot worth that much."
"I don't believe that the items he brought were worth ten billion valis each."
The merchant nodded.
"If you don't believe me, that's fine. But I still need the money for the items."
"Do you think we can just get twenty billion valis by tomorrow? That's a huge amount of money. What does he even need it for, anyway? He could get anything he wanted. He wouldn't have to go into the dungeon for years?"
"Maybe he wants better equipment, directly from Hephaestus?"
"What would he even need better equipment for? He obviously is stronger than all of us."
Blaec entered the room, grinning.
"Gentlemen, ladies. Allow me to, enlighten you with a few important details concerning the masked man."
The men jumped up.
"How did you get in here? This place has unbreachable defenses!"
Blaec's grin widened,as he casually adjusted his black and white trench coat.
"I have my ways. Now, do you want information, or not?"
"You did arrive, as I requested of you."
The hooded girl shook her head slowly.
"It was more of an order than a request."
"Nonsense, child."
"Stop calling me child. I have a name, you know."
"And what would it be?"
"Liliruca Arde."
"So, Ruca, then."
The girl took of her hood, revealing short maroon, with round dog ears, and a cheerful face full of confusion.
"Not Lili?"
"No. That's too easy, too simple. No thought would be put into shortening a name like that, if I just called you Lili."
Her confusion deepened.
"But why do that for me? I'm just a supporter."
"Yes, but I'm not just going to abandon all kindness towards you just because of what you are. It would make me hypocritical it I did."
"Why would it be hypocritical?"
"Because I was a supporter once."
Ruca raised an eyebrow.
"Really, now?"
"Yes. I found a strong adventurer, and I became part of a strong familia."
Ruca noticed how his voice became more melancholic.
"What happened?"
"I tried to get stronger, through a method that had, undesirable consequences."
"Changing your appearance?"
"That was one part of it. People don't trust people who hide their true face."
Ruca frowned, but continued.
"What else happened? You said consequences, implying there were more than one."
"I'd rather not talk about it."
Ruca nodded.
"I see. Let's get going then."
"I won't be joining you today. I have some, friends to talk to. Instead, Ruca, you will be Bell's supporter. Is that a problem?"
Ruca shook her head.
"No, of course not."
It was around dark when Bell and Ruca walked into the small pub known as Hostess of Fertility. They sat down, and Bell took out some stones, inspecting them.
"Ruca, what does it mean if a magic stone is colored differently?"
"I'm sorry, Bell, but I don't know."
"That's alright. I'll just ask the masked man. Eat, you did well today. This expedition was a good one for us."
Ruca nodded, a small smile on her face.
"Thank you, Bell."
"Blaec, what did you do?"
Blaec shrugged.
"I didn't do anything. What ever do you mean by that pointed question?"
The masked man clenched his fist.
"You told people, didn't you."
Blaec grinned.
"Maybe. That's not a problem, is it?"
"It wouldn't be, if they weren't trying to kill us."
The wall behind them crumbled, and Blaec and the masked man started running. A voice called out behind them.
"Don't run away, we only want to kill you! Just you, masked man. Probably. Maybe your friend."
The masked man jumped forward and spun around, grabbing a corner of a building. Upon landing, he pulled the corner, along with the rest of the building, collapsing it into the street. The group of men stopped, then scrambled over the rubble, continuing their chase. Eventually, the two ran through an alley, into the next street over.
"Why don't we just evade them?"
"Because you can't do that, and if they get you, they'll know too much. They'll get them. I won't allow that. Let them live in ignorance. They'll live longer that way."
Blaec grinned.
"Well, see you later then!"
He ducked into a crowd, and the masked man couldn't see him anymore. He glance around, before seeing the group of men still chasing him. He quickly ran into an alley. The men pursued right after him, only to find the alley devoid of their target.
"Where'd he go?"
"Check the area. I know he couldn't have gotten far. Find him!"
The men ran around, looking in the street connecting to the alley, as well as the alley itself. Eventually, they had to give up.
"How does someone hide like that?"
"They were wearing all black. They probably hid, then left when we weren't looking."
"We would have noticed if he left though."
"True. I'm not sure how he did it, but he did. He's got good equipment, that's for sure."
A/N: Blaec means black or white. Clever naming skill goes to me.
PS. The black stain is important later on.
