Dear Glenn,
As my right hand, I feel like you out to know my plans on these stories. For Paleblood, I plan on getting through the entirety of what I call 'the Cainhurst arc' by Christmas. I also plan on finishing Broken Rules and Seventh by the New Year. Any and all projects after that will be up in the air.
After that, I will be taking a year off from fanfiction entirely so that I can pursue my original works and FINALLY get something published. While I deeply enjoy fanfiction (and its ever endearing community), I feel it is a distraction from pursuing my profession.
I honestly hope you understand why I am doing this and continue to support me. I hope to see you around just as much on fictionpress as I see you here in fanfiction.
On another note, I'm sorry to say but I am never going to update Throne of Shirou. Ever-ever.
But... Master Fang and I did discuss something akin to a reboot. It's under construction.
Hope to hear some positive feedback from you!
Sincerely your overlord,
Zyra the Great
PS, tell Aaron he can suck it.
[On with the show]
"Lil-E," Welf eyed her out. His eyes narrowed. He used all of his skill acquired from the other world and the instinct of an Old Hunter to find any expression of deception from the prum girl. She was good, he'll give her that. But he was better. She was still a few decades too young to trick him.
"Got any threes?" he asked at last.
"Go fish," she answered without blinking, staring straight into his eyes and matching his gaze.
No signs of deception. She was telling the truth as far as he could tell. Dammit all.
"Oh hey," he blinked as he drew from the pile. "I got what I wanted."
"Djura… I mean… Welf, how much longer do we have to wait?" Bell asked as he readjusted his seating. His legs were getting stiff and his rear was getting sore. Having to sit on the Dungeon's floor this long was becoming unbearable. Maybe he should get up and stretch?
Welf frowned as he put his cards down (while eying Lilly to make sure she didn't take a peak) and reached into his coat. He pulled out his ledger and a pocket watch.
"Should'a been any minute by now," he said as he compared his notes with the time. "Been down here long enough. Signs ain't showing up either."
"Signs?" Lilly looked at him. "You mean like when the Dungeon shakes?"
"Nah, that's the most obvious signs any green can figure out," he said while shifting his gaze over to Bell. "It's very similar to the Pthumerian Dungeon. The entire atmosphere of the place changes. Things quiet down to where it's like a grave."
"But we're the only ones here!" Lilly shouted, purposely making her voice echo throughout the chamber to make the point. "Lilly says it's already deathly quiet. Master Bell, are you sure we can trust this guy to guide us?"
"I told you I've been down here plenty of times!" Welf barked back.
"We already got more loot than I would have on a normal day," Bell tried to ease them both before they could break into another argument. "So even if the Monster Rex doesn't show up, we still have a good amount of magic stones and rare drops. Welf, can't you make something out of them?"
"Yeah," he replied while crossing his arms. "But nothing like what we planned. I say we give it another hour before calling it quits. We're not prepped to stay in the Dungeon for a full night."
All in all, it was still a good trip. Bell had learned more about the Dungeon in this one trip than he had in his entire career as an adventurer. Welf directed them through the secret pathways and shortcuts to get to the lower levels faster. The sight of Floor 18 was breathtaking!
Bell could probably have been able to reach this far into the Dungeon on his own. Probably. Eventually. He'd have to make multiple trips back to the surface for rations. But he was confident in his skills as a Hunter to navigate his way through and deal with the monsters efficiently.
Like what Welf said, the Orario Dungeon was frighteningly similar to the Pthumerian Dungeons.
Fortunately, with the support of an Old Hunter like Welf, formerly Djura of the Powder Kegs, they were able to plow their way through any obstacle.
…While dragging Lilly along for the ride. Even for supporters, it was recommended they be at least Level Three to reach this deep. Lilly was still only at her first Level.
"Any problems with your gear?" Welf asked after a moment. They had abandoned their game in favor of managing their own things. Welf was skimming through his ledger, Lilly was munching on a snack from her pack, and Bell was trying to clean up their mess.
Bell stacked the cards into a straight deck with his palm before thinking about the answer. "My gear? Oh! It's great! The coat fits me perfectly and I don't have any problems with my movements. You even adjusted the cuffs. I could probably hide another knife or two in there…"
Welf nodded with a slight tint of pride in his eyes, "That's good. Wasn't sure if you were still a knife wielder or not. I also lowered the collar a bit so it doesn't hinder your vision."
"What'd you make this out of?" Bell asked as he tugged on the hem of his coat.
"Adolescent Dragon hide," Welf sighed. He rubbed the back of his neck, "What a pain in the ass that was. In the end, I had to ask Tsubaki for help taming the thing before skinning it. I owe that girl a dinner now… The tanning process alone made me want to tear my hair out! But that wasn't the problem!
"See, what pisses me off the most is that nobody cared!" he snapped suddenly, leaning forward and barking at Bell. Bell had to lean away as he continued, "It was great light armor! It's just as durable as Level Five medium-grade heavy armor and almost as light as elvish weaves! But that son of a bitch had to put it in the back of his shop under a pile of other crap! 'Nobody wants a jacket' he says! 'People want full plated armor!' Never mind the damn thing survived a magic sword in front of his eyes!
"All those hours making it… and nobody cared…" he bowed his head and slammed his fist onto the ground a few times.
Bell scratched his cheek and laughed lightly, unsure what else to say. He could understand the reasoning with the weapons merchant. Most adventurers wanted something reliable. While the Hunter's Coat was extremely reliable, it looked like a plain leather long coat to everyone else.
Welf, while an excellent blacksmith with technology and knowledge more advanced than today's time, didn't have the same recognition as his fellow familia members. He didn't have permission from his goddess to label his goods with his familia's crest.
"Lilly wanted to ask," Lilly spoke up. "How is it you two know each other? Master Bell introduced Lilly to you earlier this morning and told Lilly how this came to be. But what's your story?"
Bell and Welf exchanged a look. Bell had no idea how to answer that and left it up to Welf to explain. He gave him a blunt look.
"That's a hard one," Welf groaned as he put his things away where they belonged. "The Good Hunter and I aren't from Orario originally. And it's not that we really know each other. We only met up once. It was a pretty short exchange of words."
Lilly looked at Bell, expecting a more elaborate answer.
"I was kidnapped and tossed into a cell," Bell recalled. "When I came to, I had to navigate through a dungeon and fight against my jailers. That wasn't even the worse part… When I managed to break free into open land, I had to fight against a large beast the size of a house made out of skeletons and lightning!"
"Paarl," Welf supplied with a grim tone.
"You knew what it was?" Bell asked.
"Somewhat," he shrugged. "It was one of the last Darkbeasts. I didn't think it made its lair in Old Yharnam's backyard though. Good for you for taking it out. Is that how you got around my defenses?"
"Yeah," Bell nodded back. "I opened the gate and found myself in the central square. Got a little lost so I just wandered around. I thought if I climbed the tallest tower I'd find where I was and where I needed to go."
Welf snorted before leaning his head back and laughed loudly. He patted his knee a few times. "What are the odds?! I was wondering where you came from! Had you gone through the main street I would have gunned you down like the rest!"
"…I didn't know until I met you," Bell put up a smile but felt cold sweat wash over him. He remembered the sight of Djura's turret. The thing was an automatic weapon that shot armor-piercing Quicksilver Bullets dozens by the second. Bell wasn't so sure if he could dodge that kind of artillery even with his current skills and abilities.
"Where exactly is Yharnam? Lilly asked. "Lilly tried looking for it once on the atlas but couldn't find it."
Bell fell silent as he thought about it. His head raised as he tapped the bottom of his chin. Where exactly was Yharnam? He never questioned it before. He wasn't even sure if it was a real place. The Hunter's Dream was exactly what it sounded like: a dream. Perhaps Yharnam never existed in the first place or was in another plane of existence like the Upper World of the gods.
"Pretty far," Welf shrugged. "Beyond the edge of most maps and well hidden. You'd only be able to get there if you know where to look. And good riddance. It's best no one stumbles upon a place like that."
"…It's a very scary place," Bell said, following his words. "There's a disease spreading around that turns people into beasts. I don't mean mentally— well, they were mad. The disease transforms them into literal monsters. Hunters like us were issued to kill them."
"…O-Oh," Lilly said and fell silent. She looked at Bell as though what he just said explained everything.
She probably thought it explained why he was so skilled with a weapon… or why he was so casual about hiding the bodies of her former familia members.
"How about another round?" Welf suggested when the silence became uncomfortable. "We can play Old Maid. Loser buys drinks when we get back."
"Sure," Bell smiled, more thankful for the relief than for the entertainment. He shuffled the cards still in his hands and began to deal them out.
"Urk!" he sputtered.
"Something wrong?" Lilly asked.
"N-No… nothing…" he couldn't match her eyes as he looked at his cards.
He had the Old Maid.
Both Welf and Lilly were giving him a flat look. Welf went first, pulling one of Bell's cards while observing his expression. He didn't pull the Old Maid. Lilly took one of Welf's and Bell took his turn taking one of Lilly's. The cycle continued.
Ten minutes later, Bell was left with just two cards. The three of hearts… and the Old Maid.
Welf raised his hand over the three card. Bell let out a gasp of one who knew perilous doom. He was going to lose if Welf took his last card and left him with the Old Maid!
Welf suddenly shifted his hand over the Old Maid. Bell's smile lit up the dark and dank chamber. There was hope for him yet! He was going to win!
…Then Welf shifted over the other card and Bell returned to horror.
Welf paused in his choice while he put down his remaining card to pinch his nose. "It feels like I'm kicking a pup."
"Master Bell needs to learn the harshness of reality somehow," Lilly said, who had nothing to worry about since all her cards were finished. "Otherwise someone will take full advantage of him."
Bell felt betrayed. Just a few days ago Lilly had tried to steal his Blade of Mercy and have him killed against two Old Hunters! All because he trusted her! Did she have any right to suggest something like this?!
…Actually, yes. Because he was the one who fell for it.
"Yahoo~" someone called out from the other end of the chamber.
All their heads turned. A group of adventurers were coming up from the stairs leading to the next floor. There were two Amazon girls, a prum, and a pair of supporters following behind them. It was the Amazon girl with the short hair who had spotted them and waved an arm.
"Great," Welf muttered below his breath. "Competition."
He put his cards down while slowly rising to his feet. He was cautious, moving just slow enough to show he wasn't trying to threaten them. No Hunter wanted to be caught off their feet.
Lilly immediately threw her hood over her head and bowed her head, trying her best to hide her face. Welf noticed and positioned himself slightly at her front. Just enough to leave the impression he wasn't trying to hide her but willing to protect her.
Bell, however, remained sitting. He recognized these people as members of Loki Familia. They might think he was hostile if he stood along with Welf. It would be better to assume the position of harmlessness and naivety. Someone inexperienced like how he was supposed to be as a newbie adventurer.
"Hey, hey, look!" the Amazon girl, Tiona, tugged on the arm of her sister. "It's the Little Rabbit! Whatcha doing all the way down here?"
"It is!" Tione looked surprised. "Aren't you just a rookie? How'd you manage to make it this far down?"
"Um…" he said but couldn't find any concrete to back it up. While they had run into a few adventurers since the start of their journey, the number dwindled down the deeper they went. They hadn't run into another group since Floor Twenty-Five. This far down, they were facing against Level Four class monsters. He had no business being here as a rookie.
"Friends of yours?" Welf asked, purposely loud enough for all parties to hear and potentially change the subject.
"N-Not really," Bell slouched. "They're members of Loki Familia. They approached me at a tavern the other day."
"Huh, is that right…" Welf muttered as he eyed the approaching party. He waited until they were a few meders away. "Don't mind us. We're just squatting 'till the monsters show up. Grinding for some loot drops."
"Oh?" the prum, Finn, approached with a friendly smile. "Anything in particular? We come here often for some fun. We can let you know what monsters drop what and where. You're Welf Crozzo, correct?"
"Yeah…" Welf grew a little defensive as he put both his hands on his hips. "I'm not exactly a well-known blacksmith. So how do you know me?"
"Goddess Hephaestus talks about you a lot when some of our members request an order through her," was his ready answer. It was almost as if he reading a script. "Aside from that, it is hard to remain hidden when you bear the Crozzo name."
Welf accepted the answer but didn't seem satisfied.
"Captain," Tione leaned in to whisper to her leader. It wasn't missed how she used the opportunity to get close to him beyond necessary. "The Little Rabbit is just a rookie. He shouldn't be down here. Never mind Guild regulations. It's dangerous for a newbie like him."
"Yeah, yeah," agreed her sister, who wasn't quiet about it at all. "Aizu is going to be very sad if anything happens to him."
Bell wasn't sure if he was supposed to hear either of them and tried his best to pretend otherwise. He couldn't hold back the blush, however.
"I don't think there's any reason to tell the Guild about this," the prum assured them with a slightly mischievous smile.
"Captain?" blinked Tione.
"Eh?" blinked Tiona.
"The Dungeon is a perilous place," Finn raised a finger. "The deeper you go, the more dangerous the monsters. What do you think the minimum is to reach the first safe area?"
Welf exchanged a look with Bell in the corner of his vision. Bell looked back. But the two of them made sure the Loki Familia members were still in sight. They both knew Finn was up to something with his questioning.
"Level Two," Tione answered plainly. "At the least. But there was no announcement in the Guild about him growing stronger. And the monsters down here require you to be at least Level Four. I don't understand, Captain."
"Well," Finn dragged out the word as he glanced at the two Hunters. "It's possible to traverse the Dungeon without confronting any monsters. All you would need is a good map, monster repellents, and a small and quick team. Did you also hear about that new method of loot farming?"
"Oh!" Tiona knocked her fist into her open hand as a flash of insight made her eyes widen. "You mean spawn killing? Killing monsters while they're still being born by the Dungeon? It's not very fun and you hardly gain any exceli though."
"Our goal today was just to find rare materials for my forge," Welf jumped in. "We know we broke many of the Guild rules. But have you seen the market price for black marrow?!"
"W-We've been careful," Bell stepped up. He wanted to plead with these people to let him stay. He gave it his all. "We've been avoiding the larger hunting parties and monsters we can't handle. But… um… w-will you tell the Guild?"
When he looked at the three adventurers, the girls flinched and looked away. He didn't know why.
"What a dangerous weapon," he heard Tione mutter below her breath. "It's almost as powerful as the Captain's."
Her sister nodded, "No wonder Aiz received a critical wound. Even I was almost hit."
Finn didn't react to Bell. He was instead considering something Welf had said prior. "Black marrow? You mean from the skeleton warriors? Those are found on the floor below. Are you taking a break before heading down there?"
The two Hunters felt the piercing glare of Lilly beneath her hood.
"W-What do you mean?" Welf coughed into the back of his hand. "Ain't this Floor Thirty-Seven?"
Finn looked up at him, "No, this is Thirty-Six. Did you by chance miscount your steps?"
Welf grumbled something incoherent while pulling out one of the many maps from his pack. He glared at it, trying to figure out where they were. He bent down when Finn approached and asked to review it with him. They had a hushed conversation explaining the various paths displayed.
"Um… how about you two?" Bell asked the Amazoness twins while Finn and Welf were busy. "Is Loki Familia doing an expedition into the lower floors?"
"Nah," Tiona answered, throwing her arms behind her head. "It was our day off and were kinda bored. We like to explore the Dungeon for fun."
Bell blanched. It was such a casual answer despite being in one of the lower floors. Was this the difference between an elite adventurer and a Hunter? Bell was always on edge no matter what level he ventured through the Pthumerian Tombs. Even now, knowing Welf would have his back, he did not relax at this level in the Dungeon.
"So it's just you three?" he asked, wondering where the rest of their usual team was. It was another curiosity— to see the difference in both experience and mindset of both professions. Bell could never imagine himself being casual during any district of the Hunt.
"Half of us didn't want to tag along," Tione answered with a sigh and wave of her hand. She cocked a brow when she stared at Bell. Before he could ask, she leaned forward— her face dangerously close to his— with a large smirk. "Hoh? Are you worried about us, Little Rabbit? Aiz will get jealous if you worry about us and not her."
Being this close to her made him blush. When he tried to take a step back, she pressed forward. He planted his feet when he realized he would drag the group closer to Lilly, who was doing her best to remain as unimportant as possible just like the other supporters in the area. Doing so made him a few celch too close to the Amazoness.
Amazoness girls were a lot more beautiful than the stories gave them credit for. Never mind he could count the number of times he's been this close to a girl… Once, actually. Syr liked to tease him a lot. In any case, being this close to a really pretty girl made him fidget where he stood.
"I-I-I was just curious," he said while looking away. His face was burning. "A-And it's not that I'm worried about Miss Wallenstein. I know she can take care of herself."
"…So you're saying I can't take care of myself?" Tione's eyes turned blunt.
"No!" he shouted in plea. "That's not what I meant! I'm sure you're a great adventurer! You're one of the top members of Loki Familia!"
Her eyes narrowed dangerously. She stared at him in a long silence. It made him break out into cold sweat.
Suddenly, she smirked.
She was teasing him!
He dipped his head while his face turned scarlet. It was one thing to be teased by Syr… and Lilly… and Hestia… and Eina… and—
Okay. Every girl he met teased him. But still!
—It was one thing to be teased by them, it was another to be teased by an almost-stranger. This would be the first time he engaged in conversation with the Amazoness. This wasn't the sort of impression he wanted to make with her, specifically as a member of Loki Familia and teammate of Aiz Wallenstein. Just what will Tione tell the Sword Princess after this encounter?!
He looked over to Welf, begging with his eyes for the older man to help him out.
Welf gave him a disappointed look; he wanted to sigh but held it in. Bell couldn't understand why. He folded up the map and straightened himself. "Thank you for the information. Appreciate it. Sorry but we gotta cut this short before things get a little harder for us."
"Eh? You're going deeper down?" Tiona asked. Her eyes lit up as she pumped a fist into her palm. "This works out! Aizu is up ahead! This will be the perfect chance for her and the Little Rabbit to get some time! Maybe a flag will be raised!"
Bell's heart skipped a beat. The Sword Princess was up ahead? She was the next Floor down? He fidgeted where he stood. He hadn't been prepared for this. He wasn't mentally prepared. What if he ran into her? He shouldn't. Floors were such huge areas that only got bigger the lower one ventured. But on the off-chance she did? Especially when they were heading towards the Monster Rex chamber? She would, without a doubt, hear the chorus of battle and meet them there.
"Captain," Tione crossed her arms as she voiced her concerns. "Are you sure it's okay to let them through? I don't know anything about this Crozzo guy but the Little Rabbit alone…"
"They managed this far," Finn supplied with a smile. "Besides, if anything gets out of hand, I'm sure Aiz will come to the rescue. She likes to do that often. And she'll drag Riveria along with her."
This was not the words of an elite adventurer in regards for a newbie like Bell. There was something else in Finn's voice. Confidence. Faith. Truth. Finn believed in Bell enough to know he will not fall here and now. He believed Bell wouldn't need any support.
Bell looked at him. Finn looked back and offered a smile. There was calculation in his eyes that betrayed his innocent façade. There was more behind the charming and lax prum that met the eye.
"Oh!" Tiona spoke up. "I get it now! It's because he's this Good Hunter like you said! Isn't it?"
Both Bell's and Welf's head snapped at her. She caught their reaction and blinked. When the weight of her words fully registered, their heads slowly turned back towards Finn.
He kept smiling, never breaking character.
Finn… knew something. He knew Bell. He knew Bell was a Hunter.
But… whose side was he on?
They didn't question him, though the accusations were on the tip of their tongues and resonated through their muscles— ready to draw their weapons if needed. Instead, something else drew their attention as though the Dungeon itself wanted to avoid this confrontation.
The light chime of a bell rang throughout the chamber. It echoed and traveled past them, gaining their attention. It was a sound unheard of to any adventurer.
But the sound was known well to any Hunter. There were three types of chimes a Hunter knew. The most common came from the Beckoning Bell, to which the Hunter would ring and call upon help from other Hunters. Seldom, a Hunter would respond by ringing a Resonating Bell and join the Hunter no matter where they were.
But the third, most rare, and most disastrous of the ringing came from a Sinister Bell. This bell would beckon a Hunter… to hunt other Hunters.
The Hunt had forced Bell to remember each and every ring down to his core. It determined whether the thing approaching was friend or foe.
And this chime came from the floor up ahead.
"That's…" Welf breathed out. His hand immediately went to the large sword at his back.
"Captain?" Tione inquired as she saw Finn's face harden. She readied herself for battle. "What was that? I've never heard that before."
Finn didn't answer. Not right away. His face was full of focus as he brought his thumb up to his lips. He said nothing as he studied the hallway, waiting for an enemy to appear.
Things flashed through Bell's mind. An invading Hunter rarely appeared before him. More often than not, he had to play the game of prey and predator with them. An enemy Hunter would appear anywhere in the district he was roaming. They could appear around any corner, hidden under any shadow, or wait in the middle of the road he couldn't avoid.
This Hunter was up ahead, based on the resonance of the Sinister chime. It meant they were on the lower floor.
…As well as Aiz Wallenstein.
"Good Hunter! Wait!"
As soon as he came to this conclusion, he bolted. His legs kicked off the ground, leaving an impression of his foot onto the Dungeon's soil. His body was a blur of mist and ash as he activated Quickening with every step. They couldn't stop him. They couldn't follow him in time.
He dove straight down the stairs and into the next floor.
0-0-0
Something was different, Maria mused. The Sword Princess had been surprised but for only a split moment. After that, her fortitude hardened and she readied herself for battle. She did not look overwhelmed by this ambush. Rather, she looked… pleased.
She was probably desiring to fight this Monster Rex alone, to test her mettle and grow stronger after the triumph. But with Maria arriving, well, the girl could now prove herself to the one who had defeated her twice.
Maria will admit the first time was a little unfair. She, Ludwig, and Gehrman all assaulted the Loki Familia camp with their drawers down. They had hit them before a proper defense could be issued. And by the time the alarms went off and their forces could be organized, the critical blow had already been dealt. Most of their leaders had been wounded, their pride most of all.
The first time Maria faced Aiz, the girl had hardly lifted her weapon. Maria wasn't a warrior, especially not a knight of honor. She was a Hunter. There was no honor when a beast couldn't decipher friend from foe.
The second time was less favorable. The girl was wounded after the prior skirmish. She was exhausted. Even if she was the one who challenged Maria, she could hardly defend herself in the counter. Her wounds caught up to her.
But now? Well, they say third time's the charm.
Maria… actually found herself pressed.
"Awaken," Aiz Wallenstein announced. Such a soft voice. A voice belonging to a maiden who should remain indoors. The voice of a doll who should wear pretty skirts and never need to lift a sword. It didn't belong on the field of battle.
And yet, her voice made her sword come alive.
Magic thrived as wind cycled around her sword. A miniature storm gathered around the blade. The ignition alone blew the skeletal monsters near her into dust.
Maria hadn't seen this during any of their skirmishes. It wasn't her style to wait and see what hidden cards her opponents could pull. If she had the opportunity to strike down her foe, then she would take it. That was the way of a true Hunter. And she had taken that opportunity both times against the Sword Princess.
Honestly, she should have ignored Oedon's orders and killed the little wench. She wouldn't need to be here thrice otherwise.
Maria's garments weren't designed for magic protection. So when Aiz fired off like a bullet and slammed her sword against her Rakuyo, the magical application of the bustling winds felt more like a Cleric Beast throwing its entire body against her. Her face was carved as the wind shoved her off her feet.
A simple Quickening planted her feet back to the floor. The blood trickled down her face as she readjusted her previous impression of the girl. She had skill and, evidently, she had power. It made up for the lack of experience compared to some of the things Maria had seen.
Unfortunately, knowing what was to come couldn't protect Maria. Aiz followed after her and brought her weapon again for another strike. Maria was forced to Quicken away. The next swipe created a gorge of sundered earth, blasting away Dungeon flooring as well as a wave of skeletons twenty yards across.
The pursuit did not stop there. It didn't matter if the skeletons fought for her due to the Sinister Bell. It didn't matter if the Monster Rex created more skeletons or would eventually join the fight itself. Aiz Wallenstein was something Maria could not fight under these conditions. Not only did the blade pierce through all of her defenses, but the blade also protected her in an armor of wind.
She knew she was outmatched. All the proof she needed was the elf. The woman towards the front entrance remained sitting with her staff resting against her lap. Though she watched intently, she showed no signs of stepping into the fray.
If things were to continue on like this, then Maria would be forced back into the Hunter's Den. Her mission would fail.
Worse than failure and facing Oedon's wrath, Micolash would never let it down.
Udaios, the Monster Rex, strolled forward and brought a colossal hand across the field. Its skeletal minions either moved out of the way or were shattered by its sudden speed. With claws digging into the earth, a tremor surged forward towards the two of them. Blessings from the Sinister Bell granted Maria immunity from any carnage wrought by the monsters. But the same could not be said about Aiz.
The Sword Princess was forced to dodge out of the way. The speed of a high-tier adventurer was truly admirable. She moved just as quickly as a Hunter through Quickening.
Had the girl grown since last they met? Or had Maria struck her down before any of these feats could be observed?
Udaios charged forward, bringing its scepter down as well. Black energy blew out of the gem at the tip, creating a concussive shockwave as soon as it struck the ground.
Aiz brought her sword around and struck against the black wall of raw force. Her wind triumphed, carving through it as though it were fabric. She launched herself forward and stabbed her thin blade into the shoulder of the Monster Rex.
An explosion of wind tore the limb off of the Monster Rex. The beast howled more in outrage than agony. The curiosity whether this creature felt pain at all was brushed to the back of Maria's mind. There was something far more pressing at the moment.
The interference of the Monster Rex bought her time. She regained her composition and reevaluated her situation. As she was now, there was nothing she could do that could harm Aiz Wallenstein. That wind ability was too troublesome.
There was only one option, then.
Maria spun both blades of her Rakuyo around and plunged them into her abdomen.
When her eyes met Aiz, who was still watching Udaios in the corner of her eye, they were full of shock and confusion. A number of assumptions and questions flashed through her eyes. Why had Maria done this? Was this a trick? Was she giving up? These were the sorts of things Maria read.
The elf stirred where she sat. The staff was raised with the butt resting on the ground. Her grip on it tightened as her eyes narrowed.
"I was wrong about you," Maria spoke so calmly and unlabored as though she were still at the peak of her health. "I see now why Oedon finds Loki Familia as a nuisance. It's best to rip this at its root before the weed can spread."
Maria stood tall as she ripped her blades out of her body, creating a massive gash in the process. Blood flowed freely through her suit and dripped along the edge of her weapons. There was so much blood— more than enough to debilitate a normal person and kill them in a matter of seconds.
Yet, Maria took her steps with as much grace as ever before.
She Quickened, this time advancing rather than retreating. With both blades arching diagonally and a trail of blood following after them, she attacked Aiz.
The girl's eyes widened further but instinct kicked in. She raised her weapon in a proper defense. It was at the perfect angle to block both swipes of the katana and dagger.
However… Maria's blood coating the blades allowed them to pierce through Aiz's protections. They tore through the wind like fabric.
Aiz's eyes widened with heavy disbelief. But it was her instincts as an adventurer kicking in that saved her. While her mind could not fathom the idea of her magic failing her, her body was already moving. She twisted herself to the side and adjusted the angle of her sword to parry rather than block.
A fatal blow was avoided, but the swing was too ahead to fully avoid. While the steel of the Rakuyo clashed against Aiz's Desperate, the blood continued to stream forward like the liquid that it was.
Bladed liquid, if such a concept existed. It cut into the Sword Princess' shoulder and arm better than any blade possible.
The girl's mind registered the pain. Maria could read this through her eyes. She ignored it. She kept moving, pushing everything into a counter attack while plotting a way around this new ability.
"What curiosity drives you so recklessly?" Maria asked before the next confrontation could begin.
Their swords clashed again and again. Aiz was smooth and graceful in her footing and in her strikes. Every swing was one stroke being chained for the maximum effect. It spoke how many hours she spent in training to create this concept and then sharpening it in the field of battle. Truly, as Maria was the ideal Hunter, Aiz Wallenstein was the ideal adventurer.
Yet, Maria could not help but pity the girl. Maria was something more than just a Hunter, as loath as she was to admit it. She was a descendant from the Cainhurst royalty. Her cursed blood was a weapon of itself.
With every clash, the blood coating her weapons sprinkled and splashed out. Every droplet was as sharp as needles and blades. Each carved into the Wallenstein girl no matter what defense she put up. If she chose to distance herself, Maria would swing at the open air and let the trail of blood reach her. The results were always the same.
There was also the gift of the Sinister Bell. The monsters of the Dungeon were her allies. Such including the Monster Rex.
Udaios rampaged whenever Aiz found a break in Maria's assaults. The Monster Rex breathed out a miasma of toxicity and curses. Those could be thwarted by Aiz's magic, but such cost focus and effort, if not a lick of time. Even a fragment of this sacrificed effort was more than enough for Maria to abuse— to either strike at a weakness or position herself anew.
"Harbringer of the end, the white snow…" the elf's voice echoed throughout the chamber.
It didn't take a genius to figure out what she was trying to do. All of the warmth of the room was being drained. Power, like an electrical storm and second sun, was rising out of the elf's staff and her inner core. She was drawing upon her magic to support her teammate. No longer will she remain idle.
It was to be expected. It was what Maria would have done if another Hunter was present.
Alas for the both of them, Oedon sent her and not the others. The Old One knew she was more than enough for these two.
"Blow with the wind before the twilight," she continued. More cold was approaching. Frost began to gather around her feet. Her strategy was to freeze the area, to freeze the blood Maria was using as a weapon. Very intuitive. Clever. But…
Maria sheathed Rakuyo into its hilt. She crouched with her legs spread and body twisted. Her hand gripped tight on its hilt.
Aiz either knew this drawing stance or something similar to it. Those of the Far East held similar fighting styles to the Cainhurst knights. She adjusted her footing and raised her sword. She positioned herself between Maria and the elf. She meant to use herself as a shield no matter what so the elf may finish her incantation.
How suicidal. She meant to sacrifice herself if it meant to stop Maria? Foolish. Disappointing.
It was a shame Maria had no intention of going through her. As promising as it was to slay the Sword Princess here and now… she didn't want to be weakened or possibly defeated by the elf's magics.
When Maria drew out her blade, it was not in a forward stroke. Blood whipped out as she kicked off the ground, flying straight up into the air. She manipulated the blood of her sword, forcing it to compel her upwards, lifting her up several meters up. She floated there for a split second.
Both of the adventurer's eyes widened as they realized what shall happen next.
Swinging the dagger behind, a bubble of blood burst behind her, propelling Maria towards the elf. She flew like a cannonball through the air. There was nothing that could stop her as she raised her katana over her head and swung down with perfect timing.
An explosion of blood tore the surroundings apart. Red liquid and dust blew everywhere.
"Riveria!" Aiz shouted. It was the first time Maria had ever heard such emotion from the girl.
There was a chance. There was a chance the elf, Riveria, could survive. How many beasts had Maria 'slain', only to have them rise up and take one of her party members? These adventurers were rather formidable. They were durable. Who was to say they couldn't survive a direct attack like this?
There was resistance coming from her blade. Maria didn't need to see through the cloud of dust to know. Intuition told her Riveria had survived the strike. Power continued to course through her. She intended to finish her spell to the very end.
Admirable. Truly.
But while the elf had impressive defenses on her body and clothes, Maria had yet to find any creature just as fordable at the eyes.
It had only been an instant since Maria dug her blade into the collar of the elf who refused to die.
In the next instant, she swiped her dagger across Riveria's face. Her dagger was too thick to pierce through the eye socket and couldn't pierce completely through the skin and get to the brain. But she could blind the creature. And the pain… is excruciating.
Riveria couldn't withhold the scream. All the power she had gathered suddenly flared. Her skin brightened.
Perhaps… Maria had made a mistake.
An explosion not unlike the one the Good Hunter's knife created came directly from Riveria's core. It did not destroy her body but rather erupted through her skin in a magical shockwave. Maria, with armor lacking in arcana defense, received a wholesome blow at point-blank. She was thrown away with her vision blurring by black dots.
Her body crashed against a gathering of black skeletons. It did not cushion her fall. Splintered bones dug into her back but never penetrated her suit. She wanted to stand immediately, but her body wouldn't listen. It was too shocked from the magical concussion.
When she eventually stood, she had expected to be bombarded by a myriad of assaults from the Sword Princess. Instead, there was nothing. She was surrounded by the monsters with the Monster Rex towering behind her in a protective slouch.
Aiz Wallenstein cradled her comrade, who clutched her staff throughout the pain and bleeding sockets. The elf was leaning against her while Aiz raised her sword in a protective gesture.
No longer was she willing to fight to defeat Maria. She was going to fight to flee.
This mission was a failure. The Sword Princess was going to flee at first chance. Once this happened, she will report to her team. They will learn of Maria's capabilities. They will be better prepared. Possibly, they will be able to put her down.
So be it. Oedon did not want this one dead for reasons Maria didn't dare to question. But if the entire purpose of the Hunters would be put in jeopardy by this, then it would be best to put them both down. No more toying. No more striking fear into Loki Familia. No more annoying warnings.
Maria would use her cursed blood to its fullest.
"MARIA!"
Her heart skipped a beat at the sudden wave of killing intent. Her heart swooned. Her heart wanted to leap for joy. Excitement filled through her. Joy flowed. It was like when Gehrman had found her and given her a home all over again.
This killing intent… it was so potent. It was nauseating and suffocating. Why, even the Monster Rex behind her shivered and took a half-step back.
Bell Cranel stood at the foot of the entrance. His eyes were blazing. He had taken a short glance at the room and understood the full story. He understood Maria had arrived through a Sinister Bell and had assaulted his woman.
She would have been disgusted if not for this amount of killing intent. True, he promised a gruesome death because she had harmed something he cared dearly for— this part she despised as it was furthest from the ideal quality of a Hunter. But it was the killing intent itself! This! This wasn't around when last they met!
This was the mindset of the Good Hunter from the Nightmare!
"Bell Cranell," she breathed out like a lost love. Emotions teased her. With it, her killing intent matched his. "You remember."
At last. At last! At last she can exact her vengeance!
0-0-0
You remember.
There was no denying he remembered everything. Everything. All of it he didn't want to. It was more than their fight in the Clock Tower. It was more than her warning to stop him from advancing and he defying her.
He remembered the Fishing Hamlet. He saw what the Church had done. And there, washed up on the beach at the furthest edge of the village, was the greatest sin he wasn't meant to see. There he saw the thing Maria had tried to stop him from learning.
The death of innocence. The death of an Old One.
Kos, or some say Kosm, do you hear our prayers?
Kos, the Mother of the Cosmos, lay dead.
He couldn't understand it at the time. All he thought was the Healing Church had arrived at this village who had been infected with Beasthood. He thought they were butchering innocents. He thought they had murdered a god. But… they had done more than that.
The Church had created a curse. Upon killing this Old One had they invoked its wrath and that of the village's survivors. The Nightmare had been created. Every Hunter who partook in this raid were trapped in the Nightmare, to forever relive this maddened day. Every Hunter after them. And their children. And their children's children. And on. And on. And on.
Bell was no exception.
It was only from killing the Orphan— a bastard born from the corpse of Kos— was he able to escape the Nightmare.
But not Ludwig, who he slew as a monster.
And not Maria, who he murdered out of curiosity alone.
A corpse should be left well alone, she had said.
Awakened now, with both the memories of a Hunter and an adventurer, he understood. Seeing Kos like that was more than the death of the village's god. It was more than a pagan and blasphemous idol.
What the Healing Church had done was equal to Bell strangling Hestia with his own hands.
He gripped the Blade of Mercy as he stepped forward. Monsters continued to spawn by the Monster Rex's miasma. Shattered bone and dust were reforming into skeleton warriors. He can tell from a glance alone they were all Level Four with the Monster Rex being Level Six.
They meant nothing to him. His eyes were only for Lady Maria.
"Get out of here," he said to his crush and her teammate as he moved past them.
A hand latched onto the hem of his coat. Aiz had stopped him. He never looked her way, never daring to look away from Maria.
"Is that…?" Riveria croaked through her shut eyes. "The Rabbit? What are you doing down here?! You're the one who needs to leave before she kills you!"
"Even if I do, she's after me most of all," he said assuredly. "She won't let me. You should go while I have her attention. But don't worry. I won't die. I've killed her before."
Across the floor, Maria dipped her head slightly. Her eyes sharpened. She was already in her second phase and was readying herself for his approach.
From the pocket of his duster did he pull out a dark-brown pellet. It was a congealed marble of beast's blood— unoriginally named Beast Blood Pellet— that he pried out of the pockets of Gascoigne and Henryk. Parallel to Blood Vials containing the parasite that turned men into beasts, the Beast Pellet did not enhance his regeneration abilities. They instead heightened all of his senses and boosted his metabolism. Like the name, they drew any who took them as close to Beasthood as was possible without full transformation.
Bell popped it into his mouth and crunched down. Immediately as soon as the flakes touched his tongue did he feel its effects.
He let out a Beast Roar, a shockwave of pure sound that blew away the dust and the first twenty skeleton warriors in front of him. It created a clearing as the monsters were shoved back.
The sound of a monster's roar coming out of his throat made Aiz Wallenstein's grip loosen. He didn't dare to think what expression she wore at the moment.
He launched forward, Quickening straight into the hoard of skeleton warriors. The Blade of Mercy was a silver streak as it cleaved through both metal swords and obsidian bone. The Trick Weapon forged of alien metal was more than enough to break through whatever made them real.
What's more, the skeleton warriors felled did not get up again.
Maria met him, Quickening as well to match his speed. Her katana clashed against his. The nook of the Blade of Mercy locked her katana in place. For a split second, he released the Blade in order to escape the trail of blood continuing to move forward by the momentum of her swing. The bladed blood missed him completely.
She brought her dagger around. He stepped in close, circling around her swing and dodging the blood following. She pivoted her body around to avoid his fist to her liver. The katana was brought around, hurling the Blade of Mercy around with it. Bell kicked the hilt of his sword, knocking her swing upward.
They both Quickened once he grabbed ahold of his weapon. More sparks flew when they next clashed. Blood carved through the territory. Silver crushed black bones. The area around them did not matter. The monsters were secondary as the two Hunters clashed.
Maria combined her weapons together while pulling out her pistol. While she swung her Rakuyo at Bell, while they danced together to get around the other's defense, she was looking for a point to shoot him. He kept up his defense, dodging her blood streaks while parrying her sword with one hand. His other hand rested behind his back under his cloak, grabbing onto something she couldn't see.
Neither of the two were flawless in their defenses, however.
Gashes appeared across of both their bodies. Miniscule cuts to hindering wounds. Their pristine Hunter garments were being reduced to shredded rags. It was a battle of attrition to see which one would fall under a thousand cuts.
After the hundredth engagement, Maria found her opening. She withdrew her pistol and fired.
Bell saw her take aim. With his Blade locked with her Rakuyo, he withdrew his other hand. The Oedon Knife blazed with red Caryll Runes. He didn't need to be faster than her bullet, though there was no doubt he could have been under the enhancement of the Beast Pellet— he only needed to know where she was aiming at.
The knife deflected her Quicksilver Bullet just as simply as her other strikes. The stray bullet pierced through the skull of a random skeleton warrior.
Their battle continued. They both pocketed their secondary weapons at the same time, almost in perfect sync as though trained with the same fighting style, and knocked their Trick Weapons. The Rakuyo and the Blade of Mercy split apart simultaneously.
They continued to fight, endlessly Quickening to the point they were never in the same spot longer than a second. The two of them were nothing but ash and mist as they exchanged blow after blow. Some struck. Others missed. The rest were deflected, or parried, or blocked, or feinted.
Blades and guns were not their only weapons. Hunters do not fight honorably. They rammed into each other, throwing their shoulders or the occasional kick. They butted heads, spat, and tried to knock the other off balance. Maria had lost her hat at some point while Bell had to abandon his pack when she latched onto it.
But no matter how fiercely they fought, it was a stalemate. There would be no victor at this rate.
Maria was the one who disengaged and Quickened several meders away. Bell did not pursue. His breathing was extremely labored and his heart was hammering. He was sweating, unlike Maria who had endless stamina thanks to the Sinister Bell. She was really nothing more than a phantom.
He took this moment to pop another Beast Pellet into his mouth. Its drugging effects were reinforced.
Maria stood straight with her arms slightly apart from her body, her weapons pointing outwards. She took a deep breath as she lifted her head.
He knew what was to come next.
The skeletons all collapsed as the Dungeon itself breathed. A dark flame from each skeleton appeared from their core. The magic stones keeping them alive shattered. The flames traveled, gathering around Lady Maria, cycling around her and compressing into herself.
The Monster Rex let out a sigh as the life was drained out of it. Its body collapsed in the same way a building would topple over. The ground shook at its death while the brightest and hottest flame of life went towards Maria.
"Everyone!" he heard Welf through his tunnel vision. He briefly wondered at what point did he arrive. Loki Familia must also be with him. "Get back!"
Power exploded out of Maria at the climax of her technique, whatever it was. Phantasmal winds blew his duster and hair around. He had seen this move before. She had used it when he had pushed her into a corner at the Clock Tower. When she was at her most desperate, she was willing to sacrifice everything to stop him.
This time was different. She was going to sacrifice everything not to stop him— not to grant him a death so horrendous he would think again about challenging her in the next life. She was going to end him forever true.
He tossed one of the Blades onto the tip of the other and flicked his wrist. They latched onto each other and clicked shut. It was a performance he had done countless times and had mastered both leisurely and in the heat of battle. With his other hand, he pulled out the Oedon Knife. He crossed the blades together to ready himself.
Maria did not hesitate to initiate the next assault.
She swung the katana underhand. An almost casual gesture. The sword sang and would never hope to hit him. The trail of blood followed after and fell short.
But the blood ignited into bright flames. A great inferno was heading towards him.
0-0-0
"What… the… hell…" Tione gasped as she watched.
Aiz probably would have never said it. But she pouted slightly when Tione had voiced the exact words she struggled to find. Her observations of the brawl had left her… blank.
Even Riveria, as blind as she was, was silent as she kept aware of the fight through her extra senses. A lack of sight did not hinder her. There was something about the elves that let them see things humans could never hope to comprehend. It was in their blood to understand nature magic, whatever that was in comparison to normal magic.
Riveria's grip on her staff was tightening to the point her knuckles were white. Aiz was pretty sure it had nothing to do with the pain.
"Captain…" Tiona said quietly while she watched Bell and Maria fight to the death. "Shouldn't we do something? This is a high-value target. What if…"
What if Bell loses? That's what Tiona wanted to say.
Aiz didn't dare to look at Finn. The grim voice gave her an image of his expression.
"If there's anybody who can defeat Lady Maria," Finn spoke with a blend of guilt, reluctance, and the desire to do more, "it is the Good Hunter. I believe in Master Cranell."
Her heart stopped when Maria sheathed her weapon. Bell froze in place. She expected Maria to launch up in the air and create another explosion— this time leagues more devastating with this fire affinity. Instead, she unleashed a quickdraw, bringing about a beam of burning blood as instantaneous as a flash.
Bell had moved, tracing her arm movements scant frames before the blade was fully out of the scabbard. He vanished into smoke with that strange technique and dodged out of the way. Hadn't he, he would have been incinerated like the gaping hole out of the side of the Dungeon wall.
"Finn," Riveria growled. "What… Just what are these Hunters? Where do they come from? How can they be just as powerful as we adventurers? What is Oedon?"
Aiz blinked. The way Riveria was asking… It suggested she was accusing more than asking. Finn knew something— that was the tone Riveria was suggesting. He knew more than rumors and stories like when he previously shared about these Hunters.
"Are you sure you should be asking something like that?" the stranger with red hair asked. "This ain't something we should be leisure about. Ask later, like when we're out of the crossfire later."
There was fear and astonishment in his voice. He, someone who had to be equal or close to in rank as Bell to be in his company, was giving advice to a highly experienced adventurer. He was either aware of Bell's prowess or had similar experiences of his own to be able to say such things.
Was he just as skilled as Bell? Did he too wield hidden potential not belonging to an adventurer?
Oh yes, Aiz had experienced more than enough with these Hunters to understand they were apart from adventurers. More than just tactics and habits. They were a class of themselves. Just as how adventurers gained power through exceli and the falna ritual of their patron gods, it was just as possible the Hunters gained similar power through alternative means.
Her conclusion: Bell Cranell was a Hunter before becoming an adventurer. While he may be a newbie as an adventurer, he was already formidable by his experiences as a Hunter.
If he slaying a Minotaur was not proof enough, the constant explosion of blood fire meders in front of her face silenced any skepticism she had before.
With Maria's next strike, Bell unleashed another terrifying howl. Aiz could not deny the sound terrified her— it was as though Bell himself were an Irregular Monster. Yet, whatever he did, he forced the inferno of blood fire to swirl around him and prevent him from harm.
His clothes were in tatters. The dragon-leather coat was torn with patches exposed. Underneath lay blackened skin from Maria's assaults. Yet Bell was ignoring these wounds. He kept at it, constantly bombarding her with attacks of his own by underhanded tricks and the slashing of his mechanical sword.
She saw him put those medicinal pellets into his mouth. Every time he did, he became a little more… savage. His attacks became fiercer. He was losing his grace in exchange for brutality. When his stamina was waning, those pellets reinvigorated him.
Despite this shift in technique, his skill never faltered. To compare… it was like whenever Gareth overindulged in drink. Her dwarf commander was not a better or worse fighter when sober or drunk. He was simply… different.
It was this shift that was confusing Maria. Her own skill was impressive enough to meet with his. But the more pellets he chewed, the more she was pressed.
At the same time, the more he ate the pellets, the less time he had before needing to take another. Like with Gareth, who said the adrenaline of battle forced him to sober quickly, the labor of Bell's body was pushing the drug through his system faster than it could settle. It was possible the exhaustion was burning it more than digesting.
This battle was a stalemate. Neither one of the two were better than the other unless one made a fatal mistake. And with their level of skill— a god's arkanum would need to plant a rock unsuspecting under their foot and have them trip. Would that even be enough? They seemed more than capable of recovering from that.
Aiz didn't realize she was clutching her Desperate so tightly until a gentle hand from Riveria told her. The muscles were stiff. She struggled to loosen the grip.
What was this she was feeling? Hopelessness?
It had been a long time since she had felt this. She hadn't felt this… not since wanting to become an adventurer as a little girl. Not since the One Eyed Black Dragon stole everything away from her. Not since all the work she could find was as a Supporter.
This was how she was feeling right now. How she wanted to leap into the battle and help Bell. More than just support him. She wanted to stand at his side. She had a vendetta against this woman for being stronger than her. But now, someone she had admired was fighting on her behalf because of her failure as an adventurer.
It hurt her pride. But she knew she couldn't assist him. Not as she was now. After all, her Aerial did nothing against the Hunter's blood magic. It would do even less against this hellfire.
Her heart stopped.
A blast of fire erupted out of Bell's back. He did not cry out. The flames were too hot for him to feel anything as Maria's katana pierced through his stomach and exited out of his back.
"MASTER BELL!" the Supporter prum screamed in despair.
Aiz almost took off. Almost launched herself at the woman as a wave of emotion soared through her. A heat unlike any other blazed through her heart.
Riveria's grip held her firm.
She didn't understand. Not Riveria's actions. Aiz's attention was locked on Maria. The woman was neither jovial nor disappointed by the fatal blow. Her eyes shone with understanding… as if she had made a critical error.
It had been. In the next instant, Bell drove both of his jagged blades through her. He drove them upwards in what she knew had pierced the woman's lungs and heart.
The two stood still, leaning against each other's weapons. Maria leaned in to Bell and whispered something into his ear. He didn't react any further than a blink.
Both retched their weapons out of the other. Blood flowed furiously out of their wounds.
"Well met… Bell Cranell," Maria cackled with a sneer of insult. "May you find your worth in the Waking World."
She fell to her knees, dropping her weapons and clutching her wound. Her body began to blink in and out, turning transparent. The more she slouched, the more her body faded away like mist. She vanished in the same way she had appeared. It was as though she was never truly here in the first place.
Nobody moved until the dual swords fell out of Bell's hands. He remained standing, staring directly at where Maria had fallen. His torso was slouched, slowing most of the blood from his abdomen but spreading the wound out of his back. If his organs were secure, then the blood loss will end him.
He did not move. His eyes were out of focus. He was unconscious where he stood.
"Take me to him," Riveria ordered. "Now!"
Aiz did not hesitate. She guided Riveria through the pile of black dust left by the monsters. The terrain was uneven courtesy of Maria's blood attacks and the Monster Rex's rampage.
"M-Master Bell!" the prum screamed some more as she rushed forward. She was no faster than Aiz and Riveria while she traversed the awkward floor with her large pack. She abandoned it, but not before digging through its contents and retrieving healing potions and gauze. "Here! Please take this! Please save Master Bell! Please!"
"None of that will do any good," the red-haired stranger spoke grimly. He approached while rummaging through his satchel.
"W-What do you know?!" the prum screamed in a frenzy. She was panicking. Her partner was on the verge of death.
"More than you do, Lil-E," he said calmly while brushing by Aiz.
From his pack… he pulled out the same red vial Maria had given her during Monstephilia.
"Aiz, why did you—" Riveria was going to ask why she stopped when she sensed her hesitation.
Aiz watched as the man approached Bell, studied his wounds for a brief instant, and pulled out two more vials when he realized it wasn't enough. He uncapped them, revealing needles for injection underneath. With practiced hands, he jammed all three into Bell's back right above the gaping wound.
The red liquid entered his skin and Aiz saw the boy's insides regenerate before her eyes. Innards and ribs were growing and adjusting while muscle was reknitting. It wasn't until his skin was starting to stretch did—
"YYEEEAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!"
…Did Bell scream in alarming agony.
And then pass out once again. Flat on his face.
0-0-0
Annoyance crossed through Maria as soon as she opened her eyes. Her legs were stiff from having to sit like this, despite being on a number of cushions. Her body was unconscious while her psyche had created a projection through the Sinister Bell resting on her desk.
The Doll, vessel of Oedon, was sitting on the chair across of her.
"Did you know the Good Hunter would be there?" she asked, holding back the sharp tone. She wouldn't dare to accuse the Old One of anything.
The Doll tilted its head slightly, feigning human wonderment, "I did not. Does this mean you have found him?"
Maria's lower lip twitched. Only once. She controlled her emotions.
The Doll was playing ignorant? Maria recognized the knife Bell had used. It was the same one he had used during the Monsterphilia incident. And it had exploded into a thousand fragments when it couldn't register all of the Blood Echoes in his soul.
She also saw the Caryll Runes etched into the blade instead of whatever witchcraft runes native to these lands he had used before. Only a Hunter with the right equipment to make Trick Weapons and an Altar could implement Caryll Runes to that degree.
"He was protecting Aiz Wallenstein of Loki Familia," Maria chose to answer. "We at least know she means something to him. We can lure him out through her."
The Doll did not say anything as it remained still. Maria could not read its emotions— that was the problem she hated with the Doll. People she can understand. Even the rampant beasts. But never the Doll. She didn't like what she couldn't understand.
"This will do," the Doll said eventually. It stood and went towards the door without any further word.
"Wait."
The Doll stopped and craned its head over its shoulder. It almost looked curious and concerned. Almost.
"The Good Hunter is my prey," Maria declared. "I will be the one who will make him pay for what he's done."
"…May you find your worth in the Waking World," the Doll offered. It was permission. With that said, it excused itself from Maria's room.
0-0-0
His head was ringing. Did he get dragged into drinking with his goddess and Miach again? His bones ached, he was thirsty beyond pain, and his brain was swishing around as though in the middle of a storm.
Bell opened his eyes to a dimly lit room. He recognized the wooden ceiling anywhere.
His eyes immediately went to the right.
Red and blue eyes met.
"We must stop meeting like this, Mister Cranel," Lyu said meticulously as she wringed out the water of a cloth and soon approached the bed. She placed it over his brow.
"Oh. Hey there, Lyu," he said weakly but still offered his best smile. It didn't feel like much with how tired he felt. "Please tell me I didn't lose my swords again."
"Is that concern or fear for you to ask about those rather than something else?" she asked dryly.
"Fear," he said straight away with more vigor than before. "Definitely fear."
Lyu studied him briefly. "I see. You'll be happy to know they are in safe keeping here in the Benevolent Mistress. Finn Deimne of Loki Familia explicitly requested we hide them while you recover. We would have delivered them to your goddess but she is busy at the moment dealing with the Guild."
"Huh?" Bell blinked a few times. "Guild? Hestia is? Why? What's going on?"
"There's been a report to the Guild that a certain rabbit ventured too far into the Dungeon without permission," she said simply.
He grimaced as he sank his head into the pillow. Word got out anyways. Go figure. Someone from Loki Familia probably blabbed. He shouldn't blame them. They were only doing something reasonable. He was still a Level One adventurer roaming around in a Level Four area! He couldn't argue with them considering he nearly died.
Granted, he mopped the floor of any monster that came at him and was really done in by Lady Maria. But still! Rules are rules for a reason.
"Ah, what about my party members?" Bell asked.
"I don't know the full details," Lyu answered as she pulled out a stool to sit at his bedside. "I do know both Hephaestus Familia and Soma Familia have been notified. However… I believe Loki Familia will taking responsibility for the violation fees the Guild will charge. At least, this was promised by Deimne. If not from his familia then by his own pocket. I do not trust him so I cannot say for certain."
Bell stared up at the ceiling as he thought. Truth be told, he knew nothing about the prum captain. Sure, he knew his reputation as an adventurer and had talked to him scarcely enough to have an impression. But there was something… more.
Finn was a Hunter. There was no denying that. He wondered if he should tell Lyu so she could pass on a message to Eileen. Hmm. No. He would need more evidence first.
Being called Good Hunter wasn't enough. All the other Hunters he had met so far had called him that. Finn could have heard it from any of them or from some third party who had.
"They are safe, if that is your concern," Lyu said in a somewhat gentler voice… which was extremely difficult to notice. "They were able to exit the Dungeon without any injuries."
"That's good," he sighed. Another thought crossed his mind. It made him break into cold sweat. "Um… L-Lyu, who exactly carried me here?"
"Your blacksmith companion," she answered readily.
He almost broke into tears of joy. Aiz Wallenstein may have seen him battered and broken (again) but at least she didn't drag him here all over again like last time.
"A-Ah, Lyu?" another thought crossed his mind. "Please tell me Loki Familia didn't pay for me again. Can you tell Mama Mia I'll pay instead? I don't want her to think I'm the kind of guy who gets beat up and pitied by my peers."
"There is no need," Lyu shifted in her seat. "We've come to expect this sort of behavior from you and suspect it won't be the last. Furthermore, Mother Mia has been called back by her familia for an expedition. She will be gone for some time."
Huh. His instincts had told him Mama Mia was someone to be wary about. And it went deeper than as a tavern wench who needed to wrestle groping adventurers on a daily basis. He should have known she was an adventurer. He wondered which familia she belonged to—
"What do you mean expect it?!" he blurted out as what she said finally registered. "Do you think I always put myself in this amount of danger on purpose?! Enough so you give me this room?!"
"Oh no," she said cooly. "Do not be mistaken. While the room is reserved for your use under special conditions, we are charging Hestia Familia per each use as well as meals and services."
"…So you're just taking advantage of an injured man."
"Syr thought you would appreciate being nursed back to help in a friendly environment," Lyu stated matter-of-factly.
Bell frowned with reluctance, "I… I guess… It would be nice to be nursed back to help by a cute girl…"
Something shifted in Lyu's eyes. "Mister Cranel. Do you mean to tell me I'm not cute?"
"I-I didn't say that!" he blurted out. He would have sat up if her icy stare didn't petrify him. "I-I-I was just thinking it would be nice to be nursed by Syr! No! Wait! I can't have her do that! It'd be too embarrassing!"
"…You seem to have no problem with it being me."
"T-That's because you've already done this! I've already lost all my shame with you! I-If anything, you should take responsibility for taking something I can't ever have back!"
Her brows shot up, "Is that a proposal?"
He froze. All the blood he had remaining ran up to his face. He shivered as he tossed the blanked over his head. He wailed a few incoherent denials.
"I must politely decline," Lyu said professionally— cold, distant, and apathetic. "Not only would your goddess curse me forever, but I would be doing something unforgiveable to Syr. I appreciate your sentiments but am quite satisfied where I'm at right now. Why don't we start by being friends?"
"Lyu…" he sniffed as he lowered the blanket enough for his eyes to peer over. "I don't know if you're being serious or just teasing me…"
"Who knows?" she said casually.
There came a few knocks on the door. Very soft knocks. It would have been missed if they had continued to talk. Or, rather, the knocks had been intentionally timed once the awkward silence was apparent.
Lyu stood and approached the door.
This time, all the color in Bell's face drained away.
The one who entered was Aiz Wallenstein. She was pristine without any dirt, grime, and blood. She had removed her armor in favor of the backless blouse and skirt he always saw her in.
"M-Miss Wallenstein!" he shot up from his bed.
Her eyes flicked immediately below his neck.
…He didn't realize he was only in his smallclothes until her eyes noticed him.
He squealed like a girl and covered himself with the blanket, cradling himself in the fetal position and praying to ever god in the Upper and Lower World she would forget this embarrassing moment.
"Mister Cranel seems healthy enough to no longer need my attention," Lyu stated simply. "I have other duties to attend to. If you will excuse me."
Wait! She was leaving him here?! Alone?! With the Sword Princess?!
Aiz didn't make a noise as she stepped further inside. The door shut once Lyu left. The Sword Princess didn't move any further. She remained standing at the edge of the bed.
Several agonizing minutes passed in silence.
"How are your injuries?" her voice was small and awkward.
He peeked his head out. Only enough to be polite while keeping his modesty in check. "A-Ah… They're fine. I think. A little sore. But I'm alive. Ah ha… ha ha… haha…"
He wanted to smack himself. He was blowing it! She probably thought he was a total loser who had never talked to a girl in his entire life!
It was mostly true. He hadn't talked to a girl since coming to Orario. Two months in the city was hardly enough time for him to adjust.
"I see," she said with a slight nod. "That is good."
…More awkward silence.
"H-How about Miss Riveria?" he asked. "She looked really hurt last I saw."
"Riveria is fine," she answered a little easier. "She was able to use her magic to heal her eyes. She's having difficulty seeing right now but she says it will go back to normal soon."
"That's good," he sighed with relief. "I'm so glad I showed up before something really bad could happen."
There was more silence, but it wasn't the same awkward silence. It was… uncomfortable. It was as though he had said the wrong thing. Something shifted in her posture and in her eyes. She wasn't looking at him at the moment.
"Why… were you down there?" she asked suddenly.
Why was a newb like him down in a Dungeon she frequented? How could he answer that? Honesty, for starters. But not everything.
"We were looking for specific drop items," he said. "Welf— he's a blacksmith of Hephaestus Familia— he needed certain items for his forge. I agreed to help him. We just happened to be there when Lady Maria showed up."
He wondered if Welf did manage to get the materials he needed. He would have to ask the man when next he could.
"I see," Aiz said in acknowledgement but wasn't satisfied. He could tell she wanted to know more and wanted to ask more. But she remained silent.
She looked briefly at the door as if someone else would walk in. No one did.
She approached the bed. He tensed and brought the blanket under his chin.
Her face was determined with something he couldn't read. "You fight just like her."
He immediately knew what she was talking about. But still he questioned it inside his mind. Did he really fight like Lady Maria? Her style of fighting was different from his. Really, their styles entirely depended on what Trick Weapon they used. If anything, Maria's style of fighting was a blend of Cainhurst dueling and whatever Gehrman used.
His was more based on, if anything, Eileen. He didn't get to study under her. But upon picking up the Blade of Mercy did he have to quickly learn how to use the weapon. Or perish.
However, at their core, both styles were Anti-Hunters.
"Teach me."
His thinking process came to a screeching halt.
"…Eh?" he blinked and looked at her.
Aiz Wallenstein bowed with her face parallel to the ground. She lowered her head for him.
"Teach me how to fight like you, please," she pleaded in her unique way.
Time stopped for him. He couldn't think.
"EEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!" was all his voice could find to say.